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American grdntoess:
CONSISTING Or
A COLLECTION OF AUTHENTICK RECORDS, STATE PAPERS, DEBATES, AND LETTERS AND
OTHER NOTICES OF PUBLICK AFFAIRS,
THE WHOLE FORMING
A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
OF
THE ORIGIN AND PROGRESS OF THE NORTH AMERICAN COLONIES;
OF THE
CAUSES AND ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION;
AND OF
THE CONSTITUTION OF GOVERNMENT FOR THE UNITED STATES,
TO
THE FINAL RATIFICATION THEREOF.
IN SIX SERIES.
FIRST SERIES.
From the Discovery and Settlement of the North American
Colonies, to the Revolution in England, in 1688.
SECOND SERIES.
From the Revolution in England, in 1688, to the Cession of
Canada to Great Britain, by the Treaty at Paris, in 1763.
THIRD SERIES.
From the Cession of Canada, in 1763, to the King's Mes-
sage to Parliament, of March 7th, 1774, on the Proceed-
ings in North America.
FOURTH SERIES.
From the King's Message of March 7th, 1774, to the Decla-
ration of Independence, by the United States, in 1776.
FIFTH SERIES.
From the Declaration of Independence, in 1776, to the De-
finitive Treaty of Peace with Great Britain, in 1783.
SIXTH SERIES.
From the Treaty of Peace, in 1783, to the final ratification
of the Constitution of Government for the United States,
proposed by the Convention, held at Philadelphia, in 1787.
BY PETER FORCE.
I'REPARED AND PUBLISHED UNDER AUTHORITY OF AN ACT OF CONGRESS.
:9i
AMERICAN ARCHIVES:
JfourtJ) Series.
CONTAINING
A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
OF
THE ENGLISH COLONIES IN NORTH AMERICA,
FROM
THE KING'S MESSAGE TO PARLIAMENT, OF MARCH 7, 1774,
TO
THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
BY
THE UNITED STATES.
BY PETER FORCE.
VOLUME II.
PUBLISHED BY M. ST. CLAIR CLARKE AND PETER FORCE,
UNDER AUTHORITY OF AN ACT OF CONGRESS, PASSED ON THE SECOND OF MARCH, 1833.
■i<»<e»«»"
WASHINGTON, OCTOBER, 1839.
03
:n
CONTENTS
OF THE SECOND VOLUME OF THE FOURTH SERIES.
177
CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, ETC.
March Letter from the General Committee of Charles-
1, town, S. C, to the New- York Committee,
expressing their disapprobation of the course
pursued by the Assembly of New- York, and
their determination to adhere to the Resolutions
of the Continental Congress at all hazards, - 1
Instructions from the Freeholders of Cumber-
land County, Virginia, to John Mayo and Win.
Fleming, their Delegates in the Assembly, - 3
1, Address of New- York Committee to the Free-
holders and Freemen of the City and County
of New- York, recommending the choice of
Delegates to the Continental Congress, - 4
Address to the Soldiers ordered to embark from
Ireland for America, 4
Address to the Commons of Great Britain in
Parliament assembled, oa the policy of the
Ministry in regard to America, advising the
repeal of the Acts which have produced the
present disturbances, ----- 5
1, Meeting of the Governour and Council of North-
Carolina. The proposed meeting of a Provin-
cial Congress at Newbern in April declared
to be highly derogatory to the dignity of the
Legislature appointed to meet at the same time, 7
1, Proclamation of Governour Martin. The pro-
posed Provincial Congress is contrary to law,
and a violation of the Constitution. All good
subjects are exhorted to discourage such meet-
ings, cabals, and illegal proceedings, - - 7
Feb. 22, Camillus to the Printers of the Pennsylvania
Gazette, in reply to a Boston writer, who
charges the Americans with having an entire
independence on the Mother Country in view, 8
March Camillus to the Printers of the Pennsylvania Ga-
1, zette, in defence of the course pursued by the
Americans in their opposition to the measures
of the British Government, 10
1, Resolutions of the Committee of Inspection for
Newport, Rhode-Island. A Free Press,
while it supports truth, liberty and justice,
to be supported — when it is prostituted to
vile purposes is to be discountenanced and
discouraged. All persons advised to discon-
tinue Rivington's Gazetteer, 12
2, Letter from a Gentleman in London to his Friend
in Boston. Lord North has no further conci-
liatory measures to propose. When the Colo-
nies come to an unconditional submission, the
repeal of the Bills of last year will be consid-
ered, 13
2, Committee of Essex County, Virginia, acquit
Captain Joseph Richardson of an intentional
violation of the Association. They offer a
Premium to encourage Arts and Manufac-
tures in the Colony, - - - - - 13
2, Remarks on the late manoeuvres in America, by
a real Friend to his King and Country. Vir-
ginia and Maryland condemned for joining
with so much warmth the New-England Re-
publicans, ------ 14
2, Address to the Inhabitants of New- York, on the
application of publick moneys to secret service
in America by the British Government, - 15
2, Tea burnt at Providence, Rhode-Island, - - 15
Fourth Series. — Vol. ii.
March Letter from Samuel Adams to a Gentleman in
2, Virginia, acknowledging receipt of Donations
for the Poor of Boston, - - - - 16
2, General Gage and the Provincial Congress of
Massachusetts; collision probable. Withhold-
ing Supplies from the Troops by the People
justified, 16
2, Address to the Inhabitants of Massachusetts-Bay,
No. 5, from the County of Hampshire. On the
rights of the Colonies, .... 18
2, Letter from London to a Gentleman in New-
York, Reports there, that New- York was
disaffected to the common cause, discredited, - 24
2, Letter from London to a Gentleman in Philadel-
phia. The Government will persist in their
measures against the Colonies. New- York
is to be a place of Arms, and Provisions are to
be provided there for the support of the Army
in New-England, .... 25
3, Letter from the Earl of Dartmouth to the Gov-
ernour of Georgia. Laments that the People
of Georgia, hitherto so loyal, have manifested
a disposition to join the other Colonies. The
Lords of the Admiralty have before them a
Bill for the Collection of His Majesty's Cuit-
Rents, 26
3, Letter from the Earl of Dartmouth to the Gov-
ernours of the several Colonies. The great
majorities in both Houses upon every question
for maintaining the supremacy of Parliament
in the Colonies, shows there will not be the
least relaxation from those measures, - - 26
3, Letter from the Earl of Dartmouth to Deputy-
Goverriour Penn. Has received his Despatch
of January 30, and laid it before the King, - 26
Feb. 22, Letter from the Earl of Dartmouth to the Gov-
ernours of the Colonies, enclosing the joint
Address of both Houses of Parliament, of the
7th February, to the King, with his Answer.
Also the Bill for restraining the Fisheries, and
the Resolution offered in the House of Com-
mons on the 20th of February, - - - 26
March Letter from the Earl of Dartmouth to the Gov-
3, ernours of the Colonies. The King wishes to
see a reconciliation of the differences with the
Colonies, without prejudice to the just autho-
rity of Parliament, which he will never suffer
to be violated. The Colonies bound to con-
tribute their just proportions of the publick
burdens of the Nation in return for the pro-
tection and support they have received. The
King entirely approves of the Resolution of
the House of Commons of 27th February, and
expects a compliance therewith on the part of
the Colonies. He will resist with firmness
every attempt to violate rights of Parliament, 27
Copy of the Resolution adopted by the House of
Commons, on the 27th of February, referred
to in the foregoing Letter, 28
3, Letter from the Earl of Dartmouth to the Gov-
ernour of New-York. His separate Despatch
of this date may be ostensibly of use, in case
the Assembly should consider the Resolution
of 27th February. It is not the King's inten-
tion that it shall be officially communicated to
the Assembly, but he depends upon the ability
and address of Lieutenant-Governour Colden
\l\
177i.
If
4.
CONTENTS.
4,
6,
6.
6,
6,
0,"
6,
0,
to induce a compliance on the pan of the As-
sembly. -------
Litter from the Kail of Dartmouth to Lieut, nant-
I Men. His Despatch of the 1st
of February has bun r.ceiv. d. The senti-
ments of duty to the King and wishes of a
reconciliation, so fully expressed in the Ad-
dress/s of the Council and Assembly, have-
been very graciously received by His Majesty,
Letter from London to a Gentleman in New*
York. The conduct of New- York has filled
every heart with joy. The Resolution of
Lord North, of February 27, which is found-
ed on the truest principle of policy and be-
nevolence, will be outrageously censured and
tiadticed by the Opposition. By this measure
Parliament gives a proof that while it sends
forth the sword of justice to punish the factious,
it extends also friendly proposals to invite the
good citizens to peace and reconciliation,
Meeting of the Committee of Chowan County,
North-Carolina. Premiums offered for the
encouragement of Manufactures,
Letter from John Sullivan to Mr. Fowle, enclos-
ing the Articles of Association of the Military
Company of Durham, New-Hampshire,
Remarks on Mr. Sullivan's Letter. The extra-
ordinary spirit to acquire the use of Arms at
this time of civil discords, marks strongly a
disposition to employ our Arms against the
Government, ------
Mr. Sullivan's Reply,
Address of the Committee of Norfolk to the Free-
men of Virginia, on the conduct of John Brown,
in importing Slaves in violation of the Conti-
nental Association, -
Committee of Observation for Baltimore prohibit
the landing of Salt imported in violation of the
Continental Association, - - - -
Committee of Cumberland County, New-Jer-
sey, break off all dealings with Silas New-
comb, a Member of the Committee, who has
drank East-India Tea in his family ever since
the 1st day of March, instant, in violation of
the Continental Association, -
Recantation of Silas Newcomb, which is accept-
ed by the Committee, ....
Committee of Observation and Inspection for
Freehold, New-Jersey, declare James Riv-
ington, of New- York, Printer, a malignant
enemy to the liberties of this Country, for his
attempts to disunite the Colonies,
Letter from Major Benjamin Floyd, of Brook-
haven, Suffolk County, New- York, to Mr.
Rivington, in reply to some Resolutions adopt-
ed by a Committee at Smithtown, on the 23d
of February, ......
Meeting of the People of Danvers. Officers
chosen for an Alarm List Company,
Reflections on the present state of affairs in Ame-
rica. The Americans will be compelled to
follow the example of the United Provinces,
and publish a Manifesto to the world, showing
the necessity of dissolving their connection
with Great Britain, ....
Oration delivered at the request of the Inhabi-
tants of Boston, to commemorate the bloody
tragedy of the 5th of March, 1770, by Doctor
Joseph Warren, .....
Address to the Inhabitants of New- York against
the recommendation of the Committee to elect
Delegates,
A I Ires* to the Inhabitants of the City of New-
York. The method proposed by the Commit-
tee for the nomination of Delegates extremely
exceptionable, --....
Address to the respectable Inhabitants of the City
of New- York against the election of Dele-
gates to the Continental Congress, The Pro-
angsof the late ' were violent ami
treasonable. One of their Men, hers (Sulli-
van) guilty of open treason in the broad face
of day. Deputies to a Provincial Congress
ought not to be chosen. In the other Colonies
Provincial Congr. sses are closing the Courts
of Justice, wresting the Troops out of the
King's hands, and enlisting Mmute-Mcu to
annihilate his just and legal authority,
29
29
29
30
31
32
32
33
34
34
34
35
36
37
37
38
44
44
44
1775.
M<i rck
7,
7,
Address to the Publick, in answer to the fore-
going, ..----
Affidavit of John Graham, Clerk to Robert and
John Murray, owners of the Ship Beulah.
The Ship left the watering place at Staten
Island yesterday, and passed the Light-house
at eight o'clock this morning. Does not be-
lieve any boat was employed to land any Goods
from the vessel, - - -
8, Account of the Meetings on the evenings of
Thursday, Friday and Saturday last, and on
Monday morning, the 6th instant, when it was
determined, by large majorities, to send Depu-
ties to a Provincial Congress authorized to
choose Delegates to the next Continental Con-
gress, .......
8, Another account of the Proceedings and of the
Meeting on Monday. The friends of consti-
tutional liberty disapprove of the measures.
They proposed, the postponement of all action
until after the adjournment of the Assembly
and the arrival of the Packet from England.
The Committee, in recommending the choice
of Delegates, exceeded their powers, and at
the Meeting held on Monday, at their request,
it was impossible to determine on which side
the majority was, .....
8, Meeting of the New- York Committee. Philip
Livingston and John Jay appointed to inquire
of Mr. Rivington on what authority he made
a false and groundless statement in his Paper,
Mr. Livingston and Mr. Jay, March 13, report to
the Committee that Mr. Rivington says he
made the statement on common rumour, but
will be more careful for the future,
Mr. Rivington's Explanation, March 16, (Note,)
7, Address to the People of England. A defence of
the Americans against the charge of High
Treason,
7, Meeting of the Constitutional Society in London.
Contributions for the suffering Inhabitants of
Boston, -------
7, Extract of a Letter from London. The Crisis,
No. 3, (a periodical Paper,) burnt by the
common hangman yesterday at Westminster,
and to-day at the Royal Exchange, by order
of the House of Commons, . - -
The Crisis, No. 1. To the People of England
and America, ------
The Crisis, No. 2. To a Bloody Court, a Bloody
Ministry, and a Bloody Parliament,
The Crisis, No. 3. To the King,
The Crisis, No. 4. To the Conspirators against the
Liberties of Mankind at St. James's, in St. Ste-
phen's Chapel, the House of Lords, or amongst
the Bench of Bishops, and to the Officers, Sol-
diers and Seamen, who may be employed to
butcher their Relations, Friends and Fellow-
Subjects in America, ....
The Crisis, No. 5. To the People,
The Crisis, No. 6. To the Right Honourable
Lord North, First Lord of the Treasury,
Chancellor of the Exchequer, and Ranger of
Bushy Park, &c, .....
The Crisis, No. 8. To the Lords Suffolk, Pom-
fret, Radnor, Apsley and Sandwich,
The Crisis, No. 9. to the King, -
7, Letter from Charlestown, S. C, to a Gentleman
in London. This Province cannot long sub-
sist without a Free Trade. Before the Non-
Exportation Scheme took effect there was a
lively Commerce here; now the temper of the
People is soured, and their fortunes consuming
fast, for want of Trade. It is the wish of the
wise and the sober that a speedy reconciliation
may be effected, - - . . .
7, Meeting of the Committee of Princess Anne
County, Virginia. Examination of the charges
of John Saunders, Benjamin Dingly Gray and
Mitchell Phillips, for violations of the Provin-
cial and Continental Associations. They are
all declared to be inimical to the liberties of
this Country, and that no person ought to have
any commercial intercourse or dealing with
them, .......
7, Outrage committed by Captain Graves, of the
King's armed Schooner Diana, upon George
Taylor, in the Delaware, ....
XX
16
43
48
49
50
50
50
51
54
55
56
59
62
63
66
69
71
73
76
76
78
XXI
CONTENTS.
XXII
Marc
8
Contradiction of this statement by Lieutenant
Dashwood Bacon, of the Diana, 78
Affidavits by Nathan Wood, William Carter,
Mary Johnston and Daniel Nicholson, proving
the outrage, ...... 78
h Letter to the Printers of the Pennsylvania Ga-
zette, with an explanation of several expres-
sions in the Testimony of the Quakers not pro-
perly comprehended by persons unacquainted
with Friends' writings, 80
Defence of the Colonies, by a Lover of English
Liberty, 81
i Letter to the Author of a Pamphlet entitled ''A
Candid Examination of the Mutual Claims of
Great Britain and her Colonies, &c," - 85
Cumberland County, Massachusetts, Convention.
Recommend strict obedience to the Resolu-
tions of the Provincial Congress, - - 91
Condemn the conduct of Captain Coulson, for
importing Sails, &c, for a new Ship, in viola-
tion of the Continental Association, - - 92
The several Towns in the County required to
provide themselves a Stock of Ammunition, 92
The Inhabitants are requested to adhere strictly
to the Resolutions of the Continental and Pro-
vincial Congresses, ----- 92
Letter from George Mason to George Wash-
ington, -------92
Deposition of Thomas Ditson, Jun., of Billerica,
who was tarred and feathered in Boston, by
order of Col. Nesbit, of His Majesty's Forty-
seventh Regiment, ----- 93
Address to the Inhabitants of the Massachusetts-
Bay, No. 5, from the County of Hampshire, 94
Letter from " Phileirene," defending the British
Government against the charges in the Peti-
tion of the Continental Congress to the King, 100
Letter from "A Converted Whig," against Com-
mittees and Congresses, - - - - 103
Letter from Boston to Mr. Rivington. Conduct
of the British Officers in the Old South Meet-
ing-House, on the 6th instant, - - - 106
CONNECTICUT ASSEMBLY.
Mar.% Connecticut Assembly meets, - - - 107
Committee appointed to inquire into the charges
of disaffection to the Colony, made against
Captains Blackslee, Quintard and Dibble, - 107
Committee to inquire into the conduct of the
Town of Ridgefield, charged with publishing
Resolutions injurious to the Rights of the
Colony, ------- 107
9, Resolution recommending the several Towns in
the Colony to contribute liberally to the re-
lief of Boston, 107
Vote of Thanks to the Assembly of Jamaica, for
their seasonable Mediation in favour of the
Colonies on the Continent, - - - - 108
Letter from the Speaker of the House of Assem-
bly of Connecticut to the Speaker of the House
of Assembly of Jamaica, enclosing the Vote
of Thanks, 108
Letter from Governour Trumbull to the Earl of
Dartmouth, laying before him the condition
and suffering of the Colony, and of Massa-
chusetts, and asking his serious attention to
the distresses of the People in all the Colonies, 108
Letter from Connecticut to Mr. Rivington. Ac-
count of the Proceedings of the Assembly.
The Republicans urged the necessity of an
Army to be immediately raised, but were over-
ruled. A great majority passed a vote to peti-
tion His Majesty for a redress of grievances, - 110
Letter from a Gentleman in Connecticut to Mr.
Holt, in reply to the foregoing Letter to Mr.
Rivington, - 111
14,
13,
29,
CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, ETC.
March Letter from London to a Gentleman in Virginia.
10, The measures of the Government are calcu-
lated to render the Colonies independent. The
London Merchants not zealous in the cause of
America ; those of Glasgow sent up a spirited
Petition, but at the same time let it be known
that they did not mean any opposition by it,
but only to get credit in America. Bribes,
1775.
Pensions and Places are attempted to divide
the Colonies; Lord Dunmore has written for
five thousand Troops to be sent to Virginia, - 114
Remarks on this Letter by Mercator, (Note,) - 115
March Address of two hundred and twenty-seven In-
habitants of Anson County, North-Carolina,
to Governour Martin, - - - - 115
Address of one hundred and ninty-five Inhabi-
tants of Rowan and Surry Counties, North-
Carolina, to Governour Martin, - - - 116
Address of one hundred and sixteen Inhabitants
of Guilford County, North -Carolina, to Gover-
nour Martin, - - - . - - 117
10, Declaration of the Inhabitants of Brookhaven,
Suffolk County, New-York. They had been
deceived by Major Benjamin Floyd, when
they signed the Petition to the Assembly ; de-
clare their disapprobation of the Petition, - 117
11, Letter from London to a Gentleman in Philadel-
phia. The plan of the Ministry is to divide
and govern, by the advantages now held out
to New- York, North-Carolina and Georgia.
The passage of the late Acts may be attributed
to the defection of the New- York Assembly.
Let the Americans be united, and they will
succeed; if they divide, they will be irretriev-
ably ruined, - - - - - -118
1 1, Letter from London, received in Philadelphia.
The Colonies should give no credit to pacifick
Proposals of the Ministry, unless accompanied
by a total disavowal of all their unconstitu-
tional claims. The late Resolves of New-
York have been very grateful to the Ministry,
and have afforded them great triumph and
exultation. The cause of the Americans is
not a favourite cause in England, the majority
are against them ; there is a large minority
in their favour. Publick subscriptions have
been commenced for the Sufferers in Boston,
and some handsome sums have been sub-
scribed, - - - - - - -118
11, Orange County, Virginia, Committee, acquit
Francis Moore, Jun., of an intentional viola-
tion of the Continental Association, - - 120
12, Letter from Boston to a Gentleman in New-
York. Disturbance occasioned by the British
Officers on the delivery of Dr. Warren's Ora-
tion. Ditson, by order of the British Officers,
tarred and feathered, placed on a truck and
exhibited through the City, and to add to the
insult they played Yankee Doodle after him, 120
13, Letter from London to a Gentleman in Virginia.
Lord Dunmore, in a Letter to the Earl of
Dartmouth, has recommended that some Men-
of- War should be stationed in the Chesapeake,
to prevent Virginia from carrying on any
Trade with England; and advises the adop-
tion of measures to distress the People, as the
most certain way to bring about submission, - 121
13, Letter from London to a Gentleman in Maryland.
Lord North's motion was only calculated to
divide the Colonies from each other — the
Ministry are already pleased with their suc-
cess in this way, by the Proceedings at New-
York. It will now be tried what materials-
the Americans are made of; if they have not
virtue to withstand the present policy of the
Ministry they will become a laughing stock
to the world. Their salvation depends upon
their firmness and union, - - - - 121
13, Letter from London to a Gentleman in Philadel-
phia. The City of London and the great
trading and manufacturing Towns are averse
to the present measures. The Ministry see
the dangers of their undertaking, but are en-
couraged to the attempt by a firm persuasion
of success in corrupting New- York, and in-
timidating New-England. Did they believe
the Americans would be united and firm they
would not venture upon coercive measures.
By whatever means the Assembly of New-
York can be kept from deserting, even by out-
bidding the Ministry, it will be worth the pur-
chase, 122
13, Meeting of the Committee of Observation for
Baltimore, 123
Proceedings in relation to the Cargoes of several
Vessels, 123
XXIII
1775.
March
13,
( O.NTEINTS.
XXIV
Will strictly enforce the Continental Association,
Earnestly recommend the People to discontinue
il„ m India Teas, - -
Approve the conduct of the Magistrates who
bare been dismissed by the < tovarnmeat,
Letter from a Gentfemai in Harford County.
Maryland, to a friend in Philadelphia, A total
revolution in the Magistracy of the Pratrinte
expected. Nine of the oldest and beat Magis-
trates bare beeo disaaiaaad, bjm) eleven athers
appointed, some of whom are well known
for thi ir opposition to 'very measure adopted
for the preservation of American Freedom.
No raaaon was alleged In this violent insult,
which was brought about by a oonteroptible
junto in Baltimore Town, who are inimical to
the rights of America, -
DELAWARE ASSEMBLY.
Mar 13, Delaware Assembly meets, - - - -
14, Mr. McKean reported to the House the Pro-
ceedings of the late Continental Congress,
J 5 Conduct of the Delegates from Delaware ap-
proved, and receive the thanks of the Assem-
bly,
Proceedings of the Continental Congress ap-
proved, and their Journal ordered to be de-
posited amongst the files of the House, -
16, Compensation to the Delegates to the Congress,
Delegates are unanimously reappointed, -
17, Committee to prepare Instructions for the Dele-
gates to the Continental Congress,
20, Letter from the Colony Agents in London,
21, Petitions from New-Castle County, and from
Kent County, praying the House to pass a
Bill for establishing the Militia, -
23, Message from Governour Penn to the Assembly,
recommending the establishment of Boundary
lines, ----- - -
24, Bill reported to prohibit the Importation of Slaves,
read, amended, and ordered to be engrossed, -
Instructions for the Delegates to the Congress
reported, -------
25, Engrossed Bill to prohibit Importation of Slaves,
passed and sent to the Governour,
27 The Governour returned the Bill, " to which he
cannot give his assent," -
29, Instructions for the Delegates to Congress agreed
to, - -
Assembly adjourned till the fifth day of June,
next,
1-24
1-24
124
124
126
126
126
126
127
127
127
127
127
128
128
128
128
129
129
129
11
March
14,
131
CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, ETC.
Mar. 13, Pennsylvania Council —
The Governour submits a Letter from the Earl of
Dartmouth, dated January 7, 1775, expressing
his concern that the Non- Importation Resolu-
tion of Congress had been so generally adopt-
ed, and informing him that the King approved
the Boundary line between Pennsylvania and
Maryland, " 129
The Council consider the latter part of the above
Letter, and advise the Governour to issue a
Proclamation, recalling his Proclamation of
the 2d of November last, - - - - 1 30
16, Letter from Governour Penn to Governour
Eden, informing him of his intention to recall
his Proclamation of November 2, 1774, and
to enforce that of the 15th of September, - 130
13, Town Meeting in Boston, direct the Committee
of Correspondence to draw up a Statement of
the conduct of the Troops under command of
General Gage, and of the Navy under Admi-
ral Graves, - - - " - - - 130
14, Meeting of the Inhabitants of Hackensack, in
New-Jersey Resolve to continue loyal Sub-
jects to King < leorge. To disavow all riotous
mobs. That Petitions to the Throne are the
proper means to remove present grievances.
That they will not be concerned in any mi-
constitutional measures; and that they will
support His Majesty's Civil Officers, - - 131
14, Meeting of the Committee of ( iliservation for
Freehold, Monmouth County, New-Jersey.
The Inhabitants ot Bhrewabury having omit-
ted to choose a Committee, this Committee will
131
15,
15.
15,
16,
16,
16,
16,
16,
16,
10,
11,
13,
15.
15,
15,
137
II,
hereafter treat them as enemies to their King
and Country-, and deserters from the common
Of freedom, - - " *
Meeting of Freeholders and other Inhabitants of
New-Windsor, in Ulster County, New- York.
I toclace their attachment to the King, to
whom they would be deficient in duty if they
submit to the power assumed by the Parlia-
ment. Approve and will abide by the Asso-
ciation of the Continental Congress. Con-
demn sundry Publications by James Riving*
ton, a Ministerial hireling, and an enemy to his
Country, - - - - - *
Letters from Philadelphia to Mr. Rivington in
New- York, condemning and ridiculing the
Congress, Committees, and leaders among the
Whigs, 133-134
Letter from Mr. Pownal, Secretary to the Board
of Trade and Plantations, to Lieutenant Go-
vernour Golden, enclosing extracts from the
Minutes and Proceedings upon several Peti-
tions and Memorials, relative to certain Lands
in the Province of New- York, heretofore
claimed by Mr. Van Rensselaer, - - 134-137
The Sub-Committees Report to the Committee
for the City and County of New- York, the
election this day of eleven Delegates to a
Provincial Congress, to be held on the 20th
day of April, - - - -
Letter from General Committee of the City of
New- York to all the Counties in the Colony,
requesting them, without delay, to elect Depu-
ties to a Provincial Congress, for the purpose
of appointing Delegates to the Continental
Congress to meet at Philadelphia, on the 10th
of May next, ------
Account of the election in New- York yesterday,
and of the efforts of the Ministerial Party to
prevent it, ------
Remarks of "A Citizen" on the election. The
People were deceived by a scheme intended to
supplant some of the old Delegates, and get
Mr. McDougall into the Congress,
Company formed in Philadelphia for establishing
an American Manufactory of Woollens, Lin-
ens and Cottons, - - - - -
Spefch delivered in Carpenter's Hall before the
Subscribers to the Fund for establishing Ame-
rican Manufactures in Philadelphia,
Proceedings of the General Committee of the
City of New- York in relation to the landing
of Goods, by Messrs. Robert and John Mur-
ray, from the Ship Beulah, - - 144-148
Letter from the Committee of Elizabethtown,
New-Jersey, to the New- York Committee,
informing them of their reasons for suspecting
Goods had been landed from the Beulah,
Another Letter from the Elizabethtown Commit-
tee. They have continued their examination
into the affair, but have not yet obtained full
information. Samuel Lee, a Boatman, and
Ichabod B. Barnet, (son-in-Jaw to Robt. Mur-
ray,) appear to have been the persons con-
cerned in the alliiir, -----
Letter from Robert and John Murray to the
New- York Committee, acknowledging that
they had landed Goods from the Beulah, in
violation of the Continental Association. Con-
demn the act as unjustifiable, and offer to re-
ship all the Goods within seven clays,
Inventory of Goods taken out of the Beulah at
Sandy-Hook, ------
Deposition of John Murray to his statement of
the taking the Goods from the Beulah,
Affirmation of Robert Murray, ...
Letter from Robert and John Murray to the
New- York Committee. They have delivered
the Goods taken from the Beulah to the Eliza-
bethtown Committee. They are willing to
reship the Goods, as required by the Associa-
tion, and to make any other satisfaction the
Committee may require. As a further ac-
knowledgment of their errour, they offer the
sum of two hundred Pounds towards rebuild-
ing the Hospital, -
Letter from the Elizabethtown Committee to the
New- York Committee, enclosing the Affidavit
of Samuel Lee, -----
133
138
139
140
140
144
144
145
145
145
146
147
147
XXV
IT?.").
March
16,
16,
CONTENTS.
XXVI
16,
17,
17,
17,
18,
19,
20,
20,
20,
Address to the Inhabitants of Now- York. Obe-
dience and submission to Government urged
and enforced on the authority of the Bible, -
Reply to the foregoing. Absolute passive obe-
dience and non-resistance is contrary to the
Word of God,
Declaration of the Grand Jury and Magistrates
at a Court of Quarter Sessions, at Johnstown,
Tryon County, New- York. Condemn the
destruction of the Tea at Boston as an out-
rageous and unlawful act. Renew their pro-
fusions of attachment and pledges of true al-
legiance to their lawful Sovereign, and will, in
any extremity, exert themselves in support of
Government, ------
Letter from the Rev. Dr. Wheelock to Govern-
our Trumbull. Has sent Mr. James Dean
among the Indian Tribes in Canada to pre-
serve peace on the frontier Settlements. Mr.
Dean has great influence with the Six Na-
tions, and could, if authorized, get them to join
the Colonies against any invasion that may be
attempted, ------
Remonstrance presented by the Selectmen of Bil-
lerica to General Gage, demanding satisfaction
for the outrage committed on Thomas Ditson,
by the authority of Colonel Nesbit. If the
Inhabitants of the Country Towns are treat-
ed with this brutish ferocity they will hereafter
use a different style from that of petition and
complaint, ------
Address to the Gentlemen of the Provincial Con-
gress of Virginia, by Charles Lee. The Ad-
dresses of the New- York Assembly are more
alarming than the threats of the Minister. —
Any defection amongst ourselves is a matter of
the most serious concern. It behooves every
Provincial Congress to consider of some effec-
tual means to prevent the mischievous conse-
quences intended by these abandoned men,
'"Lucius" on the treatment the Colonies have
received from Great Britain. Their patience
and forbearance under all their wrongs. Their
conduct defended and their resistance justified,
Letter to Governour Wentworth. Formerly no
man in his station could be more honouredand
revered. By his late conduct in carrying out
the plans of the Ministry he has lost the affec-
tions of the People, and will never possess them
in future, ......
Letter from Essex, New- Jersey, to D. C. Dan-
ger to be apprehended to the Country from the
influence of a party too near the Throne,
Letter from Dr. Franklin to Arthur Lee, trans-
ferring to him all the Papers of the Massa-
chusetts Agency, -
Proclamation of the States-General of the United
Provinces, prohibiting the exportation of Am-
munition or Arms, in vessels belonging to the
Dominions of Great Britain, for six months, -
Proceedings in Charlestown, South-Carolina, on
the arrival of the Snow Proteus from London,
with Merchandise, &c. The Committee au-
thorize the landing of two Horses from the
vessel. The People, dissatisfied with this de-
cision, petition for a reconsideration of it in a
full Committee. The permission to land the
Horses reconsidered and rescinded by the Com-
mittee, and a Resolution adopted, directing the
Horses, Merchandise and Furniture to be re-
turned to England, -----
A full account of these Proceedings, by Mr.
Drayton, (Note,)
Instructions drawn up for the Delegates to the Con-
vention, from a certain County in Virginia, -
148
149
151
152
153
153
156
159
160
162
277
162
163
163
VIRGINIA CONVENTION.
Mar.20, Virginia Convention meets at Richmond
List of the Delegates, - - - - -
Peyton Randolph elected President, and John
Tazewell Clerk, -
President laid before the Convention the Proceed-
ings of the Continental Congress, and a Letter
from Benjamin Franklin, William Bollan and
Arthur Lee, ......
The Proa nlings of the Congress to be considered
to-morrow, ......
165-172
- 165
166
166
166
177o.
March Letter from the Inhabitants of Augusta County,
21, west of the Alleghany Mountains, requesting
John Nevill and John Harvie may be admitted
as their Delegates, - - - - - 167
Mr. Nevill and Mr. Harvie admitted, - - 167
Proceedings of the Continental Congress consi-
dered, ....... 107
22, Further considered, and after the matures! con-
sideration cordially approved, ... 1G7
23, Petition and Memorial of the Assembly of Jamaica
to the King, laid belbre the Convention, - 167
The President directed to transmit the thanks of
the Convention to the Assembly of Jamaica,
for their patriotick conduct, ... 1G7
Committee to prepare a plan for embodying, arm-
ing and disciplining such number of men as
may be necessary for the defence of the Colony, 168
24, Plan for embodying the Militia reported, - 168
The Committee of Correspondence directed to
procure authentick information from the Com-
mittee of New- York, whether their House
of Representatives, by any vote, have deserted
the union of the American Colonies, - - 168
Committees of the several Counties and Corpora-
tions directed to exert themselves in procuring
contributions for the suffering Inhabitants of
Boston, ------- 168
25, On account of the unsettled state of the Country,
Lawyers, Suiters and Witnesses are requested
not to attend the next General Court, - - 168
Plan for embodying, arming and disciplining the
Militia, adopted, 169
Vote of Thanks to Lord Dunmore for his noble,
wise and spirited conduct on the late expedition
against the Indians, ----- 170
Delegates to the Continental Congress elected bv
ballot, - 170
Committee to prepare a plan for the encourage-
ment of Manufactures in the Colony, - - 170
27, Plan for the encouragement of Arts and Manu-
factures reported, and unanimously agreed to, 170
For the more effectually carrying this plan into
execution, it is earnestly recommended to form
Societies in different parts of the Colony, and
to offer premiums, - - - - - 171
Committee to inquire whether the King may of
right advance the terms of granting Lands in
this Colony, - 172
Thomas Jefferson appointed a Deputy to the
General Congress in the room of Peyton Ran-
dolph, if Mr. Randolph cannot attend, - - 172
The People recommended to choose Delegates to
represent them in Convention for one year, - 1 72
Convention dissolved, - - - - - 172
CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, ETC.
March Field Officers chosen for New-Castle County,
20, Delaware, 172
20, Committee for Chester County, Pennsylvania,
direct each Member to use diligence in collect-
ing money for Boston, .... 172
20, Letter from Boston to Newport, R. I. The inso-
lence of the British Soldiers at Boston, encou-
raged and headed by their Officers, makes it un-
safe for people to walk the streets at noon-day, 173
Letter from a Gentleman in the service of a Coun-
sellor of State at Paris, to his friend in Rhode-
Island, 173
21, Proclamation by Lord Dunmore, for the sale of
the King's vacant Lands in Virginia, and pro-
hibiting Richard Henderson from taking pos-
session of any Lands under a pretended pur-
chase from the Indians, ... 174
21, Address of the Committee of Norfolk, Virginia,
to the Publick, declaring Captain Simpson a
violator of the Association, and an enemy of
American Liberty, - - - - - 174
21, Committee for Talbot County, Maryland, direct
two bales of Goods imported in the Ship Balti-
timore, in violation of the Continental Associa-
tion to be sent back to Glasgow, - - 175
21, Albany, New- York, Committee appoint Deputies
to the Provincial Congress, - - - 176
21, Liberty- Pole cut down at Poughkeepsie, in New-
York, by the Sheriff of Dutchess County, at-
tended by a Judge of the Inferlour Court, and
two of His Maji sty's Justices of the Peace, - 17G
WVII
177.-..
. Letter
81,
coyrE.NTS.
XXVI! I
from Samui I to Richard Henry
Virginia from the beginning of the conu st
has distinguished herself in the cause of Ame-
rican Liberty: the People of Massachusetts,
with boom few exceptions, are linn ami united.
The conduct of the British 8oldi< n and t uii-
cers highly offensive t>> the citizens; the Offi-
ce! ate a disturbance en th'
6th, when Dr. Warren delivered his Oration, 170
'21, Letter hum Colonel K. DoolitUe to John Han-
1., suggesting the establishing of a Civil
Constitution for the Province, to remedy the
evils every where lilt for want of a regular
Government, - - - - - - 177
22, Letter from Arthur Lee, enclosing one received
from the Lord Mayor of London, giving in-
formation of attempts to procure counterfeits
of the Bills of Credit of the Colonies, - - 178
22, Letter from Dr. Franklin to his son, giving a
history of his private negotiations in London,
for a settlement of the difficulties between the
Colonies and Ureal Britain, - - 178-210
22, Letter from Dr. Wheelock to Governour Trum-
bull. There are reports of an invasion from
Canada, and the Indians, if not secured in our
interests, will likely join on the other side. Se-
veral of their children, from some of the most
respectable tribes, are now at the Seminary,
( Dartmouth,) and may be considered hosta-
ges; Mr.Dean, now among them, will proba-
bly bring more; this connection is our surest
bulwark against an invasion, ...
Letter from Boston to a Gentleman in New- York.
Outrages of the British Officers and Soldiers
in Boston, ......
Letter from New- York to John Dickinson; re-
viewing and condemning his political conduct,
Letter to the Committee of Inspection for the City
and County of New- York. Their censure of
Mr. Rivington is arbitrary and tyrannical, and
breathes a spirit of intimidation towards him,
Account of the Riots in Cumberland County,
New- York,
Benjamin Hough to the Inhabitants of the City
of New- York,
Statement of Benjamin Hough, under oath, of the
indignities and violence he received from the
Rioters in Cumberland County, ...
A relation of the proceedings of the People of the
County of Cumberland, and Province of New-
York, .......
Letter from Colonel Gilbert to Captain Wallace of
His Majesty's Ship Rose. Many threats have
been made against those who have taken Arms
in the King's name, and there is fear the Rebels
will attack them
Guilford, Connecticut, Committee, acquit Cap-
tain Griffin of an intentional violation of the
Association in taking fourteen Sheep to Mar-
tinico, - - - . .
Address to the Inhabitants of Massachusetts Bav
No 6, from the County of Hampshire. The
question examined. Whether we are in truth a
part of the British Empire, in such a seuse as
to be subject to her supreme authority u, all
cases whatsoever? .....
Committee of Nansemond County, Virginia, pub-
lish the Rev. John Agnew, Rector of Suffolk
Parish, for his opposition to the Association
and the Provincial Congress, - . .
Worcester (Massachusetts) Committee require
punctual attendance of Members of the Com-
mittee, -....,
Letter from Colonel Thomas Wheeler to tl
Printers of the Massachusetts Gazette, explain-
ing the reasons for resigning his commission,
acknowledging his former errours, and avowing
his firm attachment to the cause of Liberty -
Letter from a Freeholder of the County of \Vor-
C?wrmTlw vi"h'nc,; imi1 mwepresentations
of the- Tory writers cannot injure the cause of
Liberty, ---...
from Montreal The Canadians were
highly offended by the Address of the Congress
to the People of England, - -
;or" t0 l of England. Boston
is become a « iarriaon. The inhabitants are
ruined, but Hutchinson is pensioner]. . . 23.,
22,
23,
23
23,
23,
23,
23,
23,
23.
24,
24,
24,
24,
24,
23.
210
211
211
213
214
215
215
218
222
- 222
222
226
- 228
228
229
231
1775.
M I Letter from Governour Eden to ( '.overnour Pmn,
25, refusing to join in issuing a Proclamation, re-
i sailing that of November 2, 17 7-1, respecting
the Boundary between Pennsylvania and Mary-
land, 303
25, Letter from Essex, New-Jersey, to D. C. The
late news from England has strengthen! d the
union of the Colonies. Not more than three
Towns in the four New-England Provinces
opposed to the measures of the Congress; in
New- Jersey and the Southern Provinces the
opposition is as small. Some few places in
New- York are delinquent, but they appear to
be returning to their duty, ... 232
25, Confession of Thomas Lilly, of M arbkhead, that
he has been guilty of purchasing Tea, - 234
Deposition of Simon Tufts, March 31st, that in
purchasing Tea he had no intention of viola-
ting the Association, .... 234
25, Orange County, Virginia, Committee, meet, and
demand of the Rev. John Wingate the surren-
der of a number of Pamphlets containing re-
flections on the Continental Congress. The
Committee obtain them after some difficulty
and delay, and order them to be burnt, - 234
28, Proclamation by Lord Dunmore, requiring all
Magistrates and Officers to use their endeavours
to prevent the appointment o{ Deputies to the
Continental Congress, and exhorting all persons
within the Colony to desist from such an unjus-
tifiable proceeding, ----- 236
Remarks on Lord Dartmouth's Circular to the
Governours of the Colonies, requiring them to
do their utmost to prevent the choice of Depu-
ties to the Continental Congress, - - 236
Letter from an Englishman in New- York to
the Committee of Correspondence for Philadel-
phia. Charges them with falsehood, hypocrisy
and rebellion; condemns their whole proceed-
ings, and asserts that the number of loyal sub-
jects is increasing with a rapid progress, - 238
Meeting of the Committee for Worcester, Massa-
chusetts, ...... 242
Letter from a Gentleman in London to his friend
in North-Carolina, ..... 242
New- York Committee recommend to the Inhabi-
tants to stop the exportation of Nails, and to
withhold all Supplies, which are essential to
hostilities, from the Troops at Boston, - 242
Letter from J. Brown to the Committee of Cor-
respondence at Boston. The Canadians appear
to be quite friendly towards the Colonies, but
there is no prospect of Canada sending Dele-
gates to the Continental Congress. The Fort
at Ticonderoga must be seized should hostili-
ties be committed by the King's Troops ; the
People on the New-Hampshire Grants have
engaged to do this business, and they are the
most proper persons for the job, ... 243
Committee for Lancaster County, Pennsylvania,
approve the conduct of George Ross for oppos-
ing, in the Assembly, the recommendation of
the Governour to send a separate Petition to
His Majesty, ---... 245
Chiefs of the Six Nations in consultation with
Colonel Guy Johnson, .... 245
Letter to the Inhabitants of Massachusetts-Bay,
No. 7, from the County of Hampshire, - 245
Freeholders of Jamaica, on Long- Island, refuse
to send Deputies to the Provincial Congress, 251
Letter to the Subscribers to an Association agreed
to in January last, in Portsmouth, New- Hamp-
shire,
28,
28,
29,
29,
29,
30,
30,
30,
31,
31,
April Letter from London to a Gentleman in Philadel-
1, phia. The behaviour of the New-Yorkers has
raised the drooping spirits of the Ministry,
who now declare their intention of starving the
four New-England Colonies, - - -
1, Letter from New-Haven to Mr. Rivington. The
Committee of Inspection have proceeded to
very unwarrantable lengths, and threaten those
who drink Tea If they carry matters to ex-
tremity, now is the time to repel force by force
2, Council of North-Carolina advise the Governour
to issue a Proclamation to forbid the holding
a Provincial Congress, Z
3, Proclamation by Governour Martin, to forbid the
sitting of the Provincial Congress, at New-
251
252
252
253
XXIX
17J5.
CONTENTS.
xxx
April
3,
3,
3,
bern this day, ami exhorting all His Majes-
ty's subjects, on their allegiance, to withdraw
themselves from the same, ...
Meeting of the Committee for Gloucester Coun-
ty, Virginia, ------
Committee for Philadelphia cautioning their Fel-
low-Citizens of an attempt to be made to violate
the Association, by importing: East- India goods
through the Dutch Islands,
Committee for Freehold, Monmouth County,
New-Jersey, declare Thomas Leonard a foe to
the rights of British America, for violations of
the Continental Association. ...
Lett* from New- York to a Gentleman in Bos-
ton. It is suspected that the Troops really
mean to take the field; some imagine they will
march out five or ten mile s at a time, in order
to compel the people of Massachusetts to begin
hostilities first, .....
Letter from Dr. Joseph Warren to Arthur Lee.
America must, and will be free. The contest
may be severe. The end will be glorious.
A detachment of the Army marched four mil. s
out of Boston tlu.,. days ago; great numbers of
the People, completely armed, collechd in the
neighbouring Towns. The Congress imme-
diately took prop..,- measures for" restraining
any unnecessary effusion of tHooa,_^^ ■
251
254
254
254
255
255
NORTH-CAROLINA ASSEMBLY.
Apr. 4, North-Carolina Assembly meets, ...
List of Members elected to the Assembly,
List of Members attending, -
John Harvey chosen Speaker, and approved by
the Governour, .....
Speech of the Governour to the Council and
House of Assembly, ....
5, The Governour's Speech to be considered to-mor-
row, .... .
6, Governour's Speech considered in Committee of
the Whole,
Report of the Committee of the Whole House,
7, Answer to the Governour's Speech,
Proceedings of Continental Congress approved,
Delegates to the Congress chosen by the Conven-
tion, approved by the Assembly,
Thanks of the House to the Delegates to the late
Continental Congress, ....
8, Assembly dissolved by the Governour,
7, Council of North-Carolina, on reading the vote
of the House of Assembly, approving of the
Proceedings of the Continental Congress, ad-
vise the Governour to dissolve the Assembly,
8, Proclamation of Governour Martin, dissolving
the Assembly, ...... 266
255
256
257
257
261
261
261
263
265
265
265
266
266
NORTH-CAROLINA PROVINCIAL CONVENTION.
Apr. 3, Convention of North-Carolina meets, - - 266
List of the Delegates elected, .... 266
List of the Delegates present, ... 267
John Harvey chosen Moderator, • - - 267
4, Other Delegates attend, .... 267
5, Resolution approving of the Continental Associa-
tion, and binding the Members of this Conven-
tion to adhere to it, - - - - - 268
All the Members subscribe this Resolution, ex-
cept Mr. Thomas Macknight, who refused, - 268
Thanks of the Convention to the Delegates to
the late Continental Congress, ... 268
Answer of the Delegates to the Moderator, - 268
Thanks to the Delegates, by Colonel John Har-
vey, in compliance with instructions from Per-
quimans County, ..... 2G9
Answer of the Deb gates, .... 269
Delegates to the Congress to be held in May next,
appointed, and invested with such powers as
may make acts done by them obligatory in
honour upon every inhabitant of the Province, 269
6, Thomas Macknight, a Delegate for Currituck
County, called upon to sign the Continental
Association, refuses, and withdraws from the
Convention, ------ 269
Resolution declaring Mr. Macknight a proper
object of contempt to the Continent, and recom-
mend all persons to break off all intercourse
and dealing with him, .... 270
1775.
April The Moderator, or Mr. Johnston, empowered to
7, direct Delegates to be chosen to a Convention
to meet in Hillsborough, .... 270
Proceedings of the late Continental Congress ap-
proved of by the Convention, - - - 270
Arts, Manufactures, Agriculture, and every kind
of economy, to be encouraged in the Colony, 270
The Governour's Proclamation to prohibit this
meeting, and his Proclamation commanding
this meeting to disperse, are illegal, and ought
to be disregarded, ..... 270
Vindication of Thomas Macknight, by Samuel
Jarvis and others, - - - - - 271
Council of North-Carolina, .... 273
Governour submits the proceedings of the Con-
vention, signed by John Harvey, Moderator,
containing Resolves derogatory to the honour
and dignity of His Majesty's Government, - 273
Mr. Harvey's name struck out of His Majesty's
Commission of the Peace for Perquimans
County, 273
12,
- 273
CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, ETC.
April Town Meeting at Hempstead, Queen's County,
4, in New- York ; resolve to bear true allegiance
to George the Third, and to adhere to the Bri-
tish Constitution ; approve of the proceedings
and addresses of the General Assembly, and
refuse to choose Deputies to a Provincial Con-
gress, _ _
Address to the puwui,. by a Freeholder of Hemp-
stead. I he Resolution, of the meeting at
Hempstead, on the 4th instant, do not truly
represent u.» Town. M of (he *
freeholders disapp^,- 7 ^ P*
the Assembly, support the Conn...... , . ft .
tion, and are in favour of a Provincial r, "
gress, - - - - - - -<., .
4, Delegates appointed to the Provincial Congress,
by a Town Meeting in Goshen, Orange Coun-
ty, New- York, - - - - - 275
4, Delegates appointed to the Provincial Congress,
by a Town Meeting in Cornwall Precinct,
Orange County, New- York, ... 276
5, Baltimore Committee declare they will carry into
execution the Association and measures of the
Congress, but that they have not, and will not,
use or authorize personal violence, • - 276
5, Letter from the Secretary of the Board of Trade
to the Governours of the Colonies, enclosing
the Act to restrain the Trade of the New-
England Colonics, and prohibiting them from
fishing on the Banks of Newfoundland, - 276
5, Letter from Mr. Pownall, enclosing a Proclama-
tion of the States-General, .... 276
5, Order of the King in Council, prohibiting the
exportation out of Great Britain, or carrying
coastwise, any Arms or Ammunition, for six
months after the H)th of April, without per-
mission from the King or his Privy Council, 277
5, Letter from Thomas Life, Agent for Connecticut,
in London, to Governour Trumbull, - - 278
5, Meeting of the Livery of London, at Guildhall.
Address of the Mayor. Remonstrance and
Petition to the Throne respecting the measures
adopted with regard to America, proposed, de-
bated, adopted, and ordered to be presented to
the Throne, .--... 278
6, Letter from the Georgia Delegates to the Presi-
dent of the Continental Congress, explaining
the reasons why they think it inexpedient for
them to attend, 279
6, Calvert County, Maryland, Committee, resolve
that Alexander Ogg has violated the Associa-
tion, and ought to be deemed an enemy to
America, - - - - - --281
Mr. Ogg's publick acknowledgment of his of-
fence, April 13, 281
6, Committee for Sussex County, Virginia, approve
of the proceedings of the Convention at Rich-
mond, and pledge themselves to adhere to
their Resolutions, - - - - - 281
6, Inhabitants of the Borough of Westchester, in
New- York, refuse to choose Deputies to a
Provincial Congress, and disown all Con-
gresses, Conventions, and Committees, - 282
6, General Meeting of the Inhabitants of West-
CONTENTS.
WX1I
xx\t
1775.
April
0,
ill
<"',
%
6.
7,
i r. called to determine whether they
choce Deputies to the Provincial Conj
or wh«h. r th. y will abide by the loyal mea
jui. ■ aeral Assembly, - - '
■v [nhabitanta of New-York; ad-
amet exporting Nails,
and supplying^ Troops al Boston, read and
aporored. Williaraand Henry Uattck having
purchased intrenching tools for the Army at
,„, are declared to lie mWtenrte ft
i,,., dom, and the people are desired
to break off all connection* and dealing with
them for tin? future, - - - - . *
Letter from Alexander Mc Donga 11 to Josiah
duincy. Jun. The Statenient ol Gnei
and not the Petition to the Eng.tha Memorial
to the Lords, or the Remonstrance to the Coin-
mons, contains the true opinions of the late
House of Assembly of New- York. The only
instance of a violation of the Association at
New- York, is that of the goods taken from
the Beulah, - - » # • * "
L net from Boston, for Mr. Rivington s Gazet-
teer, - - - - ","."
Phileirene to the People of Massachusetts, de-
fending the measures of the Parliament against
the complaints of the Continental Congress, -
Address to the Inhabitants of Massachusetts- Bay,
No. 8, from the County of Hampshire. On the
right of the Parliament to arr unlimited con-
trol over the Colonies, - ",f„, Mnrth
Letter from Alexander Elm* '-f • f f .nt f° n Sl „
Carolina, in London, to Samuel J°'»'st0»NfrX
pressed the Petition to the King from North-
Pf ,. , „ ■, ^nntaintxt ,*iunge maccu-
Carohna, because it contain^ m
- 282
1775.
April
8,
283
racies, and rerV<-,:"
on the Parliament and
305
- 283
284
286
289
30G
508
j , and was not respectful to the King :
,i was probably owing to this suppression that
North-Carolina was excepted from the Re-
straining Bill, 296
7, Chesterfield County, Virginia, Committee, will
encourage the manufacture of Linen, Cotton
and Woollen Cloth, and subscribe funds for the
support of such manufactures; direct John
Brown of Norfolk, and Captain Sampson of
the Ship Elizabeth of Bristol, to be published
as persons deserving the censure and contempt
of the People of the Colony, - 298
7, Committee of Kingston, in Ulster County, New-
York, convict Jacobus Louw, on his own ad-
missions, of selling Tea; and publish him as an
enemy to the rights and liberties of America, 298
7 Application of the Portsmouth, New-Hampshire
Volunteers to Colonel Theodore Atkinson, for
permission to beat a drum, ... - 299
8, Southampton, Virginia, Committee, direct sub-
scriptions to aid Mr. Tail in making Salt, and
make provision for supplying the Militia of the
County with Ammunition, - 299
8, Address to the PeOplettf Virginia, on the " In-
structions drawn up for the Delegates to the
Convention at Richmond, from a certain Coun-
ty in Virginia," 300
Address of the Freeholders of Fincastle County,
Virginia, to Lord Dunmore, - - - 301
8, Proclamation of Governour Penn, by the advice
of the Council of Pennsylvania, revoking his
Proclamation of the 2d of November last, in
relation to the Boundaries between Pennsylva-
nia and Maryland, ----- 302
8, Letter from Gov. Penn to Gov. Eden. By ad-
vice of Council, informing him of his determi-
nation to issue a separate Proclamation, - 303
8, Letter from Dutchess County, New- York; the
inhabitants of Charlotte Precinct have refused,
by a large majority, to choose Deputies to the
Provincial Congress, - 304
Protest of the Freeholders of seven Precincts in
Dutchess County. New- York, against the ap-
pointment of Robert K. Livingston, Egbert
Benson, and Morris Graham, as Deputies to
the Provincial Congress, a majority of the
freeholders bein 1 to any such Con-
gress. --- - - - 304
"A Freeholder of Dutchess County," denying the
truth of tl ms in the foregoing Pro-
test, which was never publickly read, or ap-
proved of by one of the Precincts named in it, 304
309
309
Letter from the Committee of Montreal, m < Sana-
da, to the < •ominiuee of Safety in Massachusetts.
The People more divided by their interests than
by their religion, language, and manners: the
apprehensions of evil from the unlimited power
of Government, strikes all opposition dead.
The bulk ol the People, both English and Ca-
nadians, wish well to the cause of the Colonies,
but dare not stir a finger. They wish to know
if English Delegates would be admitted to the
Congress, without entering into the General
Association, - - - *".*«"
10, Letter from London to a Gentleman in New-
York. Great preparations making in England
to reduce the Colonies to submission. The
Colonies must get ready to light, for nothing
can save them but their own strength; the cry
of blood is gone out against them, -
10, Committee for Prince George's County, Mary-
land, publish Thomas Bailey as an enemy to
the Country for landing imported Salt, in vio-
lation of the Continental Association ; and John
Baynes, for killing a Lamb, contrary to a Re-
solve of the Provincial ( Jonvi mion,
10, Committee for Anne Arundel County, Maryland,
declare a Paper printed in the London I ub-
lick Ledger of the 4th of January, entitled
"Facts rei~,;'c t0 the Ei°t at Annapolis, in
Maryland," a false, scandalous and malicious
narrative ; and the Author of it an inveterate
enemy to the liberties of the Province in par-
ticular, and of British America in general, -
"Facts relative to the Riot at Annapolis, in Ma-
ryland," the Paper referred to by the Commit-
tee for Anne Arundel County, -
10, Address of the Committee of Inspection for Fal-
mouth, Massachusetts, to the Publick. A
statement of the conduct of Captain "Thomas
Coulson, with the reasons of the Committee
for publishing him as a violator of the Conti-
nental Association, - - - - 311
Committee of Inspection for Falmouth, appoint
a Sub-Committee to prevent the landing of
prohibited Merchandise belonging to Captain
Thomas Coulson, March 2, - - -
The Committee determine that using the Sails,
Rigging and Stores, imported by Coulson, will
be a violation of the Continental Association,
and order them to be sent back to Bristol in
the Ship that brought them here, March 3, -
April Information received. in London of the sailing of
11. a Vessel from Stettin, loaded with Fire-Arms
and Ammunition for the Americans, - - 313
1 1, Inhabitants of Richmond County, in New- York,
refuse to send Deputies to the Provincial Con-
gress, 314
1 0, Meeting of the Freeholders of Westchester Coun-
ty, New- York. Deputies to the Provincial
Congress appointed, and thanks voted to the
minority in the late General Assembly for their
firm attachment to the union of the Colonies
and rights and liberties of America,
11, Meeting of the Committees appointed by the In-
habitants on the east side of the range of Green
Mountains. The inhabitants being in danger
of having their property and their lives taken
from them by the Government of New- York,
wholly renounce, and will resist the authority
of that Government, till they can be made
secure in their lives and property, or till they
can lay their grievances before the King in
Council, with a Petition that they may be
taken out of so oppressive a jurisdiction, or
annexed to some other Government,
1 1, Speech of the Chief Sachem of the Stockbrido-e
Indians, in answer to a Message sent them by
the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts, -
12, " Regulus" to the King, on his Answer to the
Address of the City of London, -
12, Latter from General Gage to Governour Martin
of North-Carolina. The leaders in Massa-
chusetts, by their arts and artifices, still keep
Up a seditions and licentious spirit. The new-
fangled Legislature, termed a Provincial Con-
gress, have taken the Government into their
own hands, but they are much puzzled how to
act. Fear in some, and a want of inclination
in others, will be a great bar to their coming
312
3K
314
315
315
316
XXXIII
1775.
CONTENTS.
xxxiv
to extremities, though their leaders use every
exertion to bring them into the field, - - 317
April Letter from the Chairman of the Committee of
12, Falmouth, Massachusetts, to Samuel Freeman.
Captain Mowat, in the Canso, sloop-of-war, in
the harbour, to protect Coulson's Ship, and
taking out the Goods which were prohibited
to be landed by the Committee. The Commit-
tee will do all they can to prevent any other
person from breaking the Association, - - 318
12, Letter from a Gentleman in England to his Cor-
respondent in Virginia. The sword is drawn
here and the wabbaTd thrown away. The
threats thrown out here against the Americans
are only fit for Savages. The declaration of
Colonel Grant, in the House of Commons,
that he had always treated the Americans as
beasts of burden, and that they deserved no
better usage, was received with the greatest ap-
probation. American fraud, American rapine,
American cowardice, and American insolence,
are the perpetual topicks of Ministerial decla-
mation. Orders are sent to seize particular
persons in the Colonies; and certain American
advocates here will be seized when the tem-
per of the times will make it safe to do so, - 318
13, Opinions in England on the Proceedings of the
Continental Congress, - - - - 319
13, Letter from the Committee of Yorktown, Penn-
sylvania, to John Hancock and Thomas Cush-
ing, with Donations from York County for the
suffering Poor of Boston, ... - 320
Amount of Donations from York County, (Note,) 320
13, Protest of the Inhabitants and Freeholders of
Westchester County, New- York, against the
Proceedings of the Meeting held at the White
Plains, on the 1 1th instant, for the appointment
of Deputies to the Provincial Congress, - 321
Subscribers to the Protest from Westchester
County, 321
Answer of Lewis Morris to the Protest, with a
list of one hundred and seventy of the Subscri-
bers to it, who are not entitled to vote, besides
a number of the Tenants of Colonel Philipse.
Very few independent Freeholders objected to
the appointment of Deputies, ... 323
13, Phileirene to the Printers of the Massachusetts
Gazette. Objections to the claims and com-
plaints of the Continental Congress, who, in
most of their Proceedings, have exceeded the
powers delegated to them, and in still more,
have counteracted the design of their appoint-
ment, 324
13, Letter to the Inhabitants of the Massachusetts-
Bay, No. 9, from the County of Hampshire, 329
14, Candidus to the People of New-Hampshire, - 334
1 4, Recommendation of the Provincial Congress of
Massachusetts to the People, to assist the In-
habitants in removing from Boston, - - 336
15, Letter from the Earl of Dartmouth to General
Gage. All Fortifications should be garrisoned
by the King's Troops, or dismantled and de-
stroyed. Arms and Military Stores of every
kind should be seized, and persons that have
committed acts of treason and rebellion should
be arrested and imprisoned. A Proclamation
may be issued, offering a reward for appre-
hending the President, Secretary, or any Mem-
ber of the Provincial Congress, who are most
active in that seditious meeting, ... 336
15, Baltimore, Maryland, Committee, request all per-
sons to abstain from attending the approaching
Fair at Baltimore Town, .... 337
17, Letter from James Habersham to Clark and Mil-
ligan, London. The fiery Patriots of Charles-
town have stopped all dealings with Georgia.
Some of the inflammatory Resolutions and
Measures of the Northern Colonies portend
an open rebellion against the Parent State, - 337
17, Meeting of the Committee for King George
County, Virginia. Austin Brockenbrough
summoned to appear before the Committee
to answer charges against him of opposing
the measures of the Continental Congress. —
Refuses to attend, and is published as an enemy
to American Liberty, .... 337
17, Committee of Philadelphia inform fne Publick
that it is now under the consideration of the
Fourth Series. — Vol. 11.
1775.
April
17,
17,
17,
17,
18,
19,
19,
19,
19,
19,
19,
19,
33S
338
339
339
340
340
Committee to suspend all trade and intercourse
with such Colonies as have not acceded to the
Association of the Continental Congress,
Statement and Deposition of Isaac Sears and
Paschal N. Smith, denying the charge against
them of having furnished Supplies to the Ann y
in Boston, ......
Letter from Arthur Lee to Jas. Kinsey, Speaker
of the House of Assembly of New-Jersey. —
The Earl of Dartmouth refused to receive the
Petition of the Assembly of New- Jersey from
Mr. Lee, because he was not the Agent of the
Colony. The Petition will, therefore, remain
to wait the further pleasure of the House. —
The policy of the Ministry is to divide the Co-
lonies, and draw them off from their great
shield and defence, an union in General Con-
gress,
Letter from Govemour Trumbull to the Rev.
Dr. Wheelock. The ability and influence of
Mr. Dean to attach the Six Nations to the in-
terest of the Colonies is considered an instance
of Divine favour, .....
Parties of Minute-Men met at Freetown, on the
10th instant, to seize Colonel Gilbert, but he
fled on board the Man-of-War at Newport. —
A number of Tories, who had signed Enlist-
ments to serve the King, were taken prisoners.
They made acknowledgments of their past
bad conduct, promised to behave better for the
future, and were dismissed, ...
Address to the Inhabitants of New-England. —
The tune is come when we are called upon to
consider whether we will defend our rights
and properties, or surrender them to Lord
North. Will it not be wise, as soon as the
Sword of Great Britain is drawn against us,
to sacrifice every New-England Tory; to in-
vite the Biitish Troops to join us; to cut oft'
all such as intend to act as our enemies, and
to send Ambassadors to Europe with a decla-
ration of our Ports being opened to them for a
free Trade ?
Brecknock to the People of England. The in-
vasion of the rights of the Americans is an in-
vasion of the rights of the People of Great
Britain. The Inhabitants of both Countries
have the same rights to their liberty and pro-
perty. The tyranny that violates one will
violate the other, -
New- York Committee. Proceeds of sales of
Merchandise made under their direction,
agreeable to the Tenth Article of the Conti-
nental Association, to be applied towards re-
lieving the poor Inhabitants of Boston who
are sufferers by the Port-Bill,
Letters from New- York to a Gentleman in Phi-
ladelphia. Information received from Eng-
land that a Fleet, with a number of Transports
with Troops, are preparing to be sent to Ame-
rica to enforce the Acts of Parliament,
Letter from the New- York Committee to the
Provincial Congress of Massachusetts, com-
municating Letters and Intelligence, received
this day from England, of the intentions of the
Ministry, and of their preparations for subdu-
ing and enslaving the Colonies, - - 344-347
Address to the respectable Publick of New-
York. The Committee condemned for pub-
lishing William and Henry Ustick as enemies
to American Freedom ; and the charge against
them, of having violated the Association, is
pronounced false and malicious, -
Letter to Mr. Rivington. Riots in New- York.
Proceedings of the Committee of Inspection
against the Usticks, Mr. Thurman, and Mr.
Harding, charged with furnishing Supplies for
the Troops in Boston. These Proceedings
complained of a breach of the Law. Capt.
Sears apprehended, and a Mittimus issued to
send him to Jail. On his way there rescued
and set at liberty. Further Riots,
Letter from the Rev. Samuel Auchmuty to Capt.
Montressor, at Boston. Information just re-
ceived from England of an Armament speedily
to embark for Boston, to convince the refrac-
tory there that England will not be trifled
with. At a rascally Whig mob in New- York,
341
- 342
344
347
348
XXXV
1775.
CONTENTS.
XXXVI
Sears, the King, was arrested and ordered to
prison; was rescued at the Jail door, - - 349
Apnl A notice of this Letter, and of Mr. Auchmuty,
the- writer of it. (Note,) - 350
NEW-YORK PROVINCIAL CONVENTION.
Apr 20, Provincial Convention of New- York, - 351— J
List of Deputies, •
Credentials of the Deputies for New- York, Al-
bany and Ulster Count! - - -
( "r. d.Mtials of the Deputies for Orange County,
< 'redentials of the Deputies lor Westchester
County, -------
Credentials from Suffolk and King's Counties, -
\il, Credentials from Queen's Gounty, - - -
Poll Lists for Jamaica, in Queen's County, pre-
d by Mr. Robinson, -
Credentials from Dutchess County, -
Delegates to the next Continental Congress ap-
pointed, -------
22, Instruction to the Delegates to the Continental
Congress, ------
Convention dissolved, - - - * •
351
24,
351
353
20,
354
355
356
839
356
20
357
358
358
20,
CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, ETC.
April Letter from the Newburyport Committee to the
19, Portsmouth, New-Hampshire, Committee. Re-
port of an action between the Troops at Bos-
ton and the People. Men are setting off im-
mediately for Boston, - - - - 359
19, Letter from Boston to a Gentleman in New-
York. The Troops left Boston last night;
at Lexington they fired on the People ; march-
ed to Concord ; engagement there ; re-enforce-
ments sent from Boston. The Troops re-
treated from Concord to Charlestown, - - 359
20, Letter from Boston to a Gentleman near Phila-
delphia. The Troops left Boston in the night
of the 18th, and in boats were conveyed over
to Phipps's farm. The men appointed to alarm
the Country on such occasions, got over by
stealth nearly as soon as the Troops. At
Lexington the People fired upon, and five Men
killed ; engagement at Concord ; the Troops
retreat, and with re-enforcements sent out un-
der Earl Percy, are driven by the Militia back
to Boston, 360
20, Letter from Boston to a Gentleman in New-
York. The British Officers returned from the
attack on the People, say they never were in a
hotter engagement. Our People came to no
regular battle, but annoyed them the whole
way back, ...... 360
20, Letter from Boston to a Merchant in New- York.
It is surprising how soon the Country People
mustered, and in vast numbers. The Troops
were obliged to retreat near twelve miles, and
all the way a constant firing was kept up on
both sides. ...... 361
21, Letter from Newport, Rhode-Island, to the New-
York Committee. Our brethren of Massachu-
setts Bay are attacked by a body of the regu-
lar Troops, and many friends slain, - - 361
23, Letter from Weathersfield, in Connecticut, to a
Gentleman in New- York. We are all in
motion here ; one hundred Men, with twenty
days' provison and sixty-four rounds, left yes-
terday; the neighbouring Towns all arming
and moving; by night we shall have several
thousands from this Colony on their march.
The eyes of America arc on New- York ; the
Ministry have been promised that your Pro-
vince would desert us. You must now de-
clare one way or the other, that we may know
whether we are to go to Boston or to New-
York ; if ymi desert, our M en will as cheer-
fully attack New- York as Boston, • - 362
23, Express from T. Palmer, Wateriown, received
in New- York, 363
24, Letter from New- York to a ( icntlemaii in Phila-
delphia. Information received yesterday, (Sun-
day,) of the attack of the King's Troops on
the People of Massachusetts; sent immediately
by express to Philadelphia. The People un-
loaded two Vessels filled with Flour for the
Troops at Boston, and seized the City Arms, 364
1775.
April
21,
20,
20,
21,
21,
21,
21,
22,
22,
22,
23,
22,
Letter from New- York to a Gentleman in Phila-
delphia. A reconciliation between us and
• Ireat Britain is now at a greater distance
than we of late had rational grounds to hope.
Yesterday, after the news from Boston was
received, the Committee met, and will take
measures to maintain the character of a sister
Colony that feels for another in distress,
Letter from James Lockwood, Wallingford, Con-
necticut, forwarded by express to Charlestown,
in South-Carolina, - - - - -
"Johannes in Eremo" to the People. Great
Britain has drawn the Sword offensively, New-
England defensively. Our blood has been
shed by the Troops under General Gage, and
the cry will soon reach Heaven against him.
Great Britain will no longer be honoured as
our Mother, ......
Letter from Richard Devens to the Members of
the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts, re-
questing them to assemble immediately at
Concord, - - - - - . -
Letter from the Committee of Safety of Massa-
chusetts to the Governour of Connecticut. The
British Troops fired on our Men at Lexington,
without any provocation, and killed eight of
them at the first onset. As the Troops have
now commenced hostilities, we think it our
duty to exert our utmost strength to save our
Country from absolute slavery; and we pray
you to afford us all the assistance in your
power, -------
Letter from Dr. Warren to General Gage, re-
questing arrangements may be made for re-
moving the Tories into Boston, and the Whigs
out of Boston, ------
Letter from Adam Babcock to Governour Trum-
bull, requesting permission to ship twelve
Oxen to the West-Indies, - - - -
Gunpowder removed from the Magazine at
Williamsburgh, by order of Lord Dunmore, -
Address of the Corporation of Williamsburgh to
Lord Dunmore, requesting him immediately
to return the Powder, ....
Answer of Lord Dunmore. He refuses to re-
turn the Powder now, but pledges his honour,
that in case of an insurrection, it shall be re-
turned in half an hour, ...
Cumberland County, Virginia, Committee, consi-
der and approve the Proceedings of the late
Convention at Richmond, - - - .
Letter from the Connecticut Committee of Safety
to John Hancock. Every preparation is mak-
ing to support your Province. The ardour of
our People is such that they cannot be kept
back. Despatches should be immediately sent
to England, with an accurate account of the late
transactions, to forestall such exaggerated ac-
counts as may go from the Army and Navy, -
Letter from the Committee of Newburyport to
the Committee of Safety, requesting to know
if the Forces coming from New-Hampshire
shall be sent on, .....
Letter from the Committee of Safety of Massa-
chusetts to the Provincial Congress of New-
Hampshire, ---...
Letter from the Committee of Newburyport to
the Committee of Hampton. Information has
been received from the Committee of Safety at
Cambridge, that a sufficient number of Men
have arrived; they do not wish any more from
the Northward for the present, and advise them
to remain and guard the sea-coasts,
Letter from the Committee of Safety to the In-
habitants of Boston. An arrangement has
been made with General Gage for the re-
moval from Boston of the men, women and
children, and their effects, - - . .
I «tteT from a Committee of the Town of Boston
to Dr. Joseph Warren, enclosing the Agree-
ment between General Gage and the Town of
Boston, ---.-..
Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabi-
tants of the Town of Boston, called in conse-
quence of an interview between General Gage
and the Selectmen of the Town. Committee
appointed to wait upon General Gage with
propositions for the removal of the Inhabitants.
364
365
369
369
370
370
371
371
371
- 372
372
372
373
373
374
374
374
375
MARYLAND CONVENTION.
Apr.24, Maryland Convention, -
Matthew Tilghman in the Chair, and Gabriel
Duvall appointed Clerk, ....
George the Third is the rightful Sovereign of
Great Britain and Dominions, and this Pro-
vince will bear faith and true allegiance to him,
Committee appointed to write to the Committee
of Correspondence for Philadelphia, request-
ing the fullest information in regard to the
condition of New- York, -
Letter to the Committee of Philadelphia, -
Exportation from this Province to Quebeck,
Nova-Scotia, Georgia and Newfoundland sus-
pended, ------
Inhabitants of the Province earnestly requested
to form and exercise the Militia throughout
the Province, ------
Delegates to the Continental Congress appointed,
Day of Fasting, Humiliation and Prayer appoint-
ed, --------
May 1, Letter from the Philadelphia Committee. Some of
their Members have gone toNew- York to learn
the situation of affairs there, and what the In-
habitants expect from the Southern Colonies,
April Letter from Newport to the Philadelphia Com-
25, mittee, ----...
379
379
- 380
380
380
381
381
382
CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, ETC.
April Committee of Observation for Newark, New-
Jersey. At this alarming crisis will risk their
lives and fortunes in support of American
Liberty ; and will give all the support in their
power to the Province of Massachusetts- Bay.
24,
1775.
April
24,
XXXVII CONTENTS.
1775.
April Committee report that General Gage agrees to
23, let the Inhabitants leave the Town with their
effects, if they first lodge their Arms in Faneuil
Hall, or some other convenient place, under the
care of the Selectmen, ... - 375
The conditions are accepted, and the Committee
are directed to request of General Gage that
the Inhabitants may be removed by land or
water, as may be most convenient, - - 376
General Gage agrees to the request of the Com-
mittee, and promises to request the Admiral to
lend his boats to facilitate the removal by
water ; and desires a Letter may be written to
Dr. Warren to get permission for such persons
in the country as desire to come into Boston,
to do so, 376
The agreement accepted by the Meeting, and the
Committee desire the Inhabitants to deliver up
their Arms, ------ 377
27, Further Report of the Committee to the Town
Meeting of the final arrangements. The
People have surrendered their Arms, and are
to commence removing to-morrow morning, 377
The Meeting agrees to the arrangement; the
Town relying on the honour and faith of
General Gage that he will perform his part of
the contract, as they have faithfully performed
their part of it, - - - - - - 377
23, Letter from the Provincial Congress of Massa-
chusetts to the Provincial Congress of New-
Hampshire. The Provincial Congress having
unanimously resolved that it is our duty im-
mediately to establish an Army for the main-
tenance of our Rights, and that thirty thou-
sand Men should be raised in New-England,
the concurrence of New-Hampshire is earn-
estly requested, ----- 377
23, Letter from Jedediah Foster to the Massachusetts
Congress. Has seen Governour Trumbull,
who had previously received the tragical nar-
rative from Colonel Palmer; he will convene
the Assembly immediately, ... 378
23, Letter from Major McClary to the New-Hamp-
shire Congress. Two thousand Men from
New-Hampshire now at Cambridge, in great
want of proper Regulations and Field-Officers.
Five or six hundred Men inconsiderately
marched home, upon the improper statements
of one Captain Espy that they were not want-
ed; this has caused much uneasiness among
the remaining Troops, .... 373
)NVENTION.
379
379
379
XXXVIII
24,
24,
24,
24,
24,
24,
25,
25,
25,
25,
25,
25,
25,
25,
25,
25,
Captains of the Militia are requested to muster
and exercise their men once every week, - 382
Letter from the Committee of New- York to Go-
vernour Trumbull ; recommending to him to
intercept the Despatches for General Gage,
which arrived in the Packet this day. The
melancholy accounts from Boston have united
the Inhabitants of New- York, who have stop-
ped all supplies from the Army, and seized the
City Arms, 383
Agreement subscribed by Captain Arnold and his
Company of fifty persons, when they set out
from Connecticut, as volunteers to assist the
Provincials at Cambridge, - - - - 383
Letter from General Ward to the Massachusetts
Congress, requesting he may be furnished with
Enlisting Orders immediately, - - - 384
Letter from John Hancock to the Massachusetts
Committee of Safety. Requests to be furnished
with particular information as to the Army and
the Provincial Congress, ... - 384
Letter from Oliver Prescott to the Committee of
Safety, suggesting the appointment of a Town
Guard in every Town in the Province, - 385
Letter from the Massachusetts Committee of
Safety to the New-Hampshire Congress. Or-
ders have been given for enlisting such of the
men from New-Hampshire as are at present
in the service of the Colony, ... 385
Letter from H. Jackson to Col. Jeremiah Lee.
Recommends the establishment of Partisan
Corps; they performed better service in the
late war than any other Troops, - - - 386
Letter from London to a Gentleman in Massa-
chusetts, 386
Letter from London to a Gentleman of New-
Jersey. Fears are entertained on account of
Philadelphia and New- York. It is the union
of America which gives it strength ; the de-
fection of such important Provinces would give
great encouragement to our adversaries, - 387
Letter from the Officers of the Independent Com-
pany of Spottsylvania to Col. George Wash-
ington, proposing, with his approbation, to unite
with others, and march to Williamsburgh, for
protection of the Colony Stores, part having
been taken away by order of Lord Dunmore, 387
Letter from one of the Virginia Delegates, on his
way to the Congress, to his friend in Williams-
burgh. Intelligence has been received that
New- York is to be fortified and garrisoned, to
cut off the communication between the North-
ern and the Southern Colonies, - - - 387
Gloucester, Virginia, Committee. Premiums
offered for the manufacture of Gun-Powder,
and Wool and Cotton Cards. Lord Dunmore,
by the removal of the Powder from the Ma-
gazine, and other acts, has forfeited all title to
the confidence of the People of Virginia, - 388
Bedford County, Virginia, Committee, approve
the Resolutions of the Convention at Rich-
mond. Committee dissolved, and another
elected, May 23, 388
Paper addressed to Mr. De Lancey and others, of
New- York. The hostile preparations against
the Colonies were occasioned by assurance
from them of the defection and submission of
New- York, 389
Letter from Metcalf Bowler to the Massachu-
setts Congress. Encloses several Papers to
show what the Assembly has done. Rhode-
Island is firm and determined, - - - 389
Letter from Metcalf Bowler to the Speaker of the
House of Commons of Connecticut. A Com-
mittee has been appointed to consult with the
Assembly of Connecticut, upon measures for
the common defence of the four New-England
Colonies. Rhode- Island has passed an Act
for raising fifteen hundred Men for the general
cause, - - 389
Act of Rhode- Island for raising an Army of Ob-
servation, ------- 390
Resolution of Rhode- Island Assembly, authoriz-
ing the enlistment of fifteen hundred Men, - 390
Protest of four Members of the Upper House of
Assembly of Rhode-Island, against the pas-
sage of the Act for raising fifteen hundred
Men, 390
177.-..
I
25,
CONTEXTS.
i from John Hancock to thi Massachusetts
Safety, ----- 390
i from the Committee of Boston to the Com-
ly ; requesting Wagons may
be furnished to remove die Inhabitants from
Boston, and that those who wish to come into
the Town may he permitted to do so without
hinderance, - - - - - - 391
25, Account of the march of the British Troops.
Their attack on and killing a number of the
Inhabitants of Massachusetts: their taming
and destroying of private property, and of their
ii tv - <m, on the 19th of April, - 391
List of the Provincials who were Killed and
Wniinded by the British Troops on the 19th of
April, 392
25, Depositions taken by order of the Provincial
Congress of Massachusetts, in proof of the at-
tack of the Troops outlet General Gage, on the
People of the Province, on the 19th instant, - 489
25, Letter from John Sullivan to the President of the
Massachusetts Congress. There seems some
opposition in the New-Hampshire Congress
to the assistance Massachusetts has expected, - 393
25, Instructions of the Town of Williamstown, Mas-
sachusetts, to their Delegates to the Provincial
Congress. They are ready to assist with their
lives and fortunes in the common cause of
American Liberty, ----- 393
25, Letter from Colonel John Weritworth to the New-
Harnpshire Congress, ... - 394
26, Letter from a Merchant in London to his friend
in Virginia. Hopes the Non-Exportation Re-
solutions will be expunged; if they are adhered
to, Maryland and Virginia will lose the To-
bacco trade, - - - - - -394
26, Letter from Captain Grayson to Colonel George
Washington. His Company is ready to march
for Williamsburgh ; they may be depended on
for any service that respects the liberties of
America, ------- 395
24, Letter from the Officers of the Independent Com-
pany of Spottsylvania to Captain Grayson.
The People have received no satisfaction for
the Powder taken by Lord Dunmore ; a sub-
mission to this outrage will subject Virginia to
a suspicion of defection, .... 395
26, Henrico County, Virginia, Committee. The re-
moval of the Powder by Lord Dunmore is an
insult to every freeman; every endeavour will
be used to procure an immediate restitution
of it, 396
26, Address to the Publick, in defence of Mr. Gallo-
way and the " Plan of Union between Great
Britain and the Colonies," proposed by him in
the late Continental Congress, ... 396
26, Association, for defending with Arms, their pro-
perty, liberty, and lives, adopted at a meeting
of near eight thousand of the Inhabitants of
Philadelphia, ----.. 399
26, Letter from Reading, Pennsylvania. Two Com-
pnies of Foot have been raised in the Town;
in three weeks there will be one in every Town
in the County, ready to assert, at the risk of
their lives, the liberty of America, - - 400
26, Address of the New- York Committee, recom-
mending that a new Committee be elected by
the Freeholders and Freemen of the City and
County ; and that Delegates to a Provincial
Congress, to meet on the 22d of May next, be
chosen, 400
26, Letter from the Committee of Inspection for New-
port, Rhode-Island, to Genera Ward, - - 400
26, Letter from the Congress of New- Hampshire to
the Congress of Massachusetts. It is not
thought expedient now to establish an Army of
r vat ion; a Provincial Congress will meet
on the 17th of May next, who will no doubt
co-operate with their brethren in New-Eng-
land, 401
26, Letter from John Hancock to the Committee of
Safety, recommending several persons for Offi-
cers in the Army, 401
26, Letter from the Committ styof Massa-
chusetts to the Assembly of Rhode- Islaad ;
urging their immediate sestttai by forward-
ing aa la lire a number of Troops as they can,
well stocked with Provisions and Ammunition, 402
1775.
April
20,
26,
26,
26,
26,
XL
1775.
Address of the Provincial Congress of Massa-
chusetts to the Inhabitants of Great Britain, - 4^7
Letter from the Provincial Congress of Massa-
chusetts to Dr. Franklin, in London, enclosing
the Address to the Inhabitants of Great Bri-
tain, and the Depositions taken on the 25th;
requesting him to have them printed and cir-
culated throughout England, ... 488
Letter from the Falmouth, Massachusetts, Com-
mittee, to the Committee of Safety, asking their
assistance in procuring Powder, - 402
Letter from Colonel John Fenton to the People
of the County of Grafton, in New- Hampshire, 098
Intercepted Letter from Woodfield, in Canada, to
Colonel Philip Skene. The sooner the laws
are put in force against the Americans, the
better; procrastination encourages the sedi-
tious, and weakens Government. The Gov-
ernour's new Commission has been received, 402
New Commission to the Governour of Q-uebeck, 403
CONNECTICUT ASSEMBLY.
Apr.26,Assembly of Connecticut meets,
Governour and Council, ....
List of Representatives, -
Embargo laid to prohibit the exportation of Pro
visions by water, . - - - .
Committee to confer with General Gage, -
News Carriers to convey intelligence at the pub
lick expense, authorized,
Committee to procure Provisions for the Inhabi-
tants of the Colony who have gone to the as-
sistance of Massachusetts, - - - -
Act for Assembling, Equipping, &c, a number
of the Inhabitants of this Colony, for the spe-
cial defence and safety thereof, -
Forms of Commissions for the Officers of the
Troops raised for the special defence and safety
of the Colony, ------
Officers for the six Regiments raised for the de-
fence and safety of the Colony, - - -
Commissaries to supply Provisions for the Troops,
Committee for settling and paying accounts of
expenses incurred by raising Troops, -
Bills of Credit for fifty thousand Pounds autho-
rized, and a tax laid to sink the whole amount,
Committees to provide and take charge of Pow-
der and Military Stores for the use of the Co-
lony, - -
Committee to consider the best means of defend-
ing the Sea-Coasts, - - - - -
Committee to provide Carriages and other neces-
sary apparatus for the Cannon at New- London,
Enlistments for six Regiments under General
Spencer, authorized, - - - - -
Four Regiments to be got in readiness forthwith
to march to Boston, -----
An Act to exempt, for a limited time, the persons
of Debtors from being imprisoned for debt, -
Committee to inquire how far the Officers of the
Militia Company of Northbury, in the Town
of Waterbury, are inimical to the American
cause, ----._.
Permission given to Joseph Monson, of New-Ha-
ven, to transport twenty-six head of Cattle to
the West- Indies, -
Permission given to Joseph White, of Weathers-
field, to ship twenty Cattle,
Permission given to Hezekiah Smith
fourteen Cattle, ...
Assembly adjourned by Proclamation, without
day, .......
409
409
409
410
410
- 410
411
to ship
411
413
414
413
418
419
419
419
420
420
420
420
422
422
422
422
422
CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, ETC.
April Philadelphia Committee stop all Exportation
27, from Philadelphia to Qucbeck, Nova-Scotia,
Georgia, and Newfoundland, until the Con-
tinental Congress shall give further orders
therein, ....... 421
27, Letter from Stephen Hopkins to the President of
the Massachusetts Congress, informing them
of the seizure and detention of Mr. John
Brown, of Providence, and requesting them to
make the King's Officers answerable for the
treatment of Mr. Brown. Reprisals recom-
meuded by the Continental Congress, and
1775.
April
27,
CONTENTS.
•27,
27,
27.
27,
27,
27,
28,
28,
28,
28,
28,
28,
28,
28,
28,
sanctioned by the Colonics, are highly neces-
sary to be put in practice, ....
Letter from Colonel Isaac Lee to Governour
Trumbull. His Regiment is prepared with
arms and ammunition, and ready to march
at the shortest notice, ....
Letter from Jedediah Huntington to Jonathan
Trumbull, Jun. Great numbers of Troops, or
rather armed men, are at Roxbury, in much
confusion. It is expected that the Inhabitants
of Boston will be permitted to come out this
day, but many are suspicious that the General
intends to deceive them, till he gets possession
of their Arms, ------
Letter from the Massachusetts Committee of
Safety to the Selectmen of Boston. As soon
as it is known what time the Inhabitants are
permitted to leave Boston, those who wish to
take refuge there shall go in,
Letter from the Committee of Safety to the Se-
lectmen of Boston. It is reported that Gene-
ral Gage says the Provincials fired first upon
his detachment. This report creates the great-
est astonishment, as there is the clearest evi-
dence it is untrue, -
Letter from the Boston Committee to the Com-
mittee of Safety, enclosing the Agreement con-
cluded this day between General Gage and the
Committee, ......
Letter from Doctor Warren to Arthur Lee. The
measures of the Administration have brought
matters to a crisis. Lord Chatham and our
friends must make up the breach immediately,
or never. The next news from England must
be conciliatory, or the connection between us
ends, however fatal the consequences mav be,
Letter from Q.uebeck. The Governour' s new
Commission read there the 24th instant,
People assembling at Fredericksburgh, Virginia,
to march to Williamsburgh to demand a resti-
tution of the Powder taken by Lord Dunmore,
Proclamation by Governour Franklin, calling a
meeting of the Assembly of New-Jersey, on
the 15th of May next, ....
Meeting of Inhabitants at Perth Amboy, in New-
Jersey. Deputies to the Provincial Congress,
to meet on the 5th of May, appointed,
Address of the New-York Committee to the
Freeholders and Freemen of the City and
County of New- York, recommending the
election of a new Committee, to consist of one
hundred Members, on Monday next, the first
of May, and at the same time to choose Dele-
gates to a Provincial Congress, - - -
Letter from the Committee of New- York to the
Committees of the several Counties in the Co-
lony, urging the immediate election of Depu-
ties to a Provincial Congress, to meet on the
22d of May,
" An American" to the Inhabitants of New-
York. Outrages of the British Troops on the
19th of April. Both the King and Ministry
are determined, at all hazards, to destroy Ame-
rican liberty. There is nothing now left for
us but to appeal to God, and use what strength
we have in (It fence of our liberty,
Letter from Thomas Brown to Colonel George
Pitkin. General Gage has opened the gnti s,
and given permission to the Inhabitants of
Boston to leave the Town, ...
Letter from the Massachusetts Congress to the
Congress of New-Hampshire. A powerful
army on our side must be raised at once. The
other Colonies, as well as this, are fully con-
vinced, that by immediate and vigorous exer-
tions they may establish their liberty and save
their Country, ......
Letter from Cambridge to a Gentleman in New-
port, Rhode-Island. Our countrymen swarm
to our defence from all quarters. We are
busily organizing our Troops, and shall soon
have an annv of thirty thousand in the field.
We have some hopes the Inhabitants of Bos-
ton will be permitted to leave the Town this
day. They delivered up their Arms yester-
day,
Letter from Stephen Hopkins to the Massachu-
setts Congress, ------
421
423
423
424
424
424
425
425
426
426
426
427
428
428
429
429
430
430
XLll
1775.
April Letter from James Angell to the Massachusetts
28, Congress. Will, on any alarm, furnish six
hundred men from the three Battalions under
his command in Providence, Rhode- Island, - 431
28, Letter from Providence, Rhode- Island, to the
Massachusetts Congress. The Assembly pass-
ed an act for raising Men, but as they omittc d
to authorize enlistments, no Men can be raised
under it, - - - - - - - 431
28, Letter from the Massachusetts Congress to Ste-
phen Hopkins. Samuel Murray and two Of-
ficers of General Gage's Army will be sent to
Providence, to be made use of for obtaining the
liberty of Mr. Brown, .... 432
29, Letter from the Massachusetts Congress to Ste-
phen Hopkins, informing that the arrangement
made with General Gage for the release of the
Inhabitants of Boston prevents sending the hos-
tages mentioned in their letter of yesterday, - 432
28, Letter from the Committee of Safety to the seve-
ral Towns in Massachusetts, conjuring them
by all that is sacred to give all assistance in
forming the Army, ..... 433
28, Letter from the Newburyport Committee to the
Committee of Safety, recommending Christian
Febiger, a Dane, for an appointment in the
Army, 433
28, Letter from the Selectmen of Sanbornton to the
New-Hampshire Congress. They are with-
out Ammunition, and cannot obtain any, - 433
28, Letter from Governour Trumbull to General
Gage. The People of Connecticut dread
nothing so much as a civil war, but will de-
fend their rights to the last extremity, - - 433
29, Letter from General Gage to Governour Trum-
bull, transmitting him a circumstantial account
of the unhappy affair that happened on the
19th instant, 434
A circumstantial account of an Attack that hap-
pened on the 19th of April, 1775, on His Ma-
jesty's Troops, by a number of the People of
the Province of the Massachusetts-Bay, trans-
mitted by General Gage to Governour Trum-
bull, 435
Account of an Attack upon a body of the King's
Troops, by a number of People of the Pro-
vince of Massachusetts-Bay, on the 19th of
April, 1775, transmitted by General Gage to
Lord Dunmore, ..... 436
Account of an Attack on the Inhabitants of Mas-
sachusetts, by the British Troops, acting under
the orders of General Gage, on the 19th of
April, 1775, 437
Extracts from several intercepted Letters, written
by Soldiers in the Army at Boston, of the En-
gagement on the 19th of April, - - 439-441
29, A serious admonition to the Inhabitants of Wil-
liamsburgh, Virginia, on the excitement caused
by the removal of the Powder by Lord Dun-
more. The Powder could only belong to the
King, and none but him, or his representatives,
could of right use it, - - - - - 441
29, Letter from the Officers of the Albemarle Volun-
teers to Colonel George Washington. They
are ready to march to Williamsburgh, and
compel the immediate delivery of the Powder
taken by Lord Dunmore, .... 442
29, Determination of a Council of one hundred and
two Members, at Fredericksburgh, assembled
in consequence of the seizure of the Powder
at Williamsburgh by Lord Dunmore, - 443
29, Letter from John Dickinson to Arthur Lee. The
impious war of tyranny against innocence has
commenced in the neighbourhood of Boston.
The Continent is preparing for a vigorous re-
sistance. We are a united, a resolved People.
Our Smiths and Povvder-Mills are at work
night and day. Supplies are continually ar-
riving, .......
29, Association of the City and County of N. York,
29, Letter from Oliver De Lancey, denying the au-
thenticity of a Publication in an English Paper
over the initials of his name, ...
29, Recantation of Jonathan Fowler and George
Cornwall, of Westchester, New- York,
29, Letter from the Boston Committee to the Provin-
cial Congress, ------
29, Letter from the Committee of Safety to the Com-
444
471
445
416
446
XLI1I
it?;.
April
29,
30,
30,
30,
30,
30,
30,
30,
30,
May 1
mittees of the several Towns in Massachu-
-. urging them to send forward Men lor the
Army, .------
from Samuel Thompson to the Massachu-
setts Committee of Safety. At the Eastward,
all are for the Country but three; one of these
has deseited, the other two are in irons,
Recantation of Stephen Holland, of Londonderry,
-I lampshire, -
LetM from Alexander Spottswood to Colonel
George Washington, -
Address of Jaeobu Loaw to the Publick, contra-
dicting the charge of the Ulster County Com-
mittee, that he is unfriendly to Liberty,
Letter from John Sullivan, at New- York, to the
Committee of Correspondence for Portsmouth,
New-Hampshire. New- York is nearly una-
nimous; yesterday six or seven thousand de-
clared /or Liberty at all hazards. They have
stopped the Custom- House, and seized the City
Arms. All denominations are under Arms,
and in high spirits. Rivington has made a
Recantation. Cooper has decamped. The
People with difficulty were prevented from
taking the lives of some of the Traitors,
Letter from Theophilus Morgan to Governour
Trumbull, requesting permission for his Ves
sel to sail for the West- Indies,
Letter from the Committee of Safety to the Bos-
ton Committee, transmitting a Vote of the Pro-
vincial Congress, -
Letter from Portsmouth, New-Hampshire, to the
Massachusetts Congress. The Messenger with
the Despatches for Gen. Gage passed through
Northampton yesterday, -
Letter from Benedict Arnold to the Massachu-
setts Committee of Safety, giving the number
of Cannon, &c, at Ticonderoga,
Letter from the Massachusetts Committee of Safe-
ty to the New- York Committee, informing
them that it has been proposed to take Ticon-
deroga, but will not infringe on the rights of
New- York,
, Letter from the Norfolk, Virginia, Committee, to
the Committee for Prince George's County, in-
forming them of a violation of the Association
by Captain Charles Alexander, - - -
Meeting of the Freeholders of King William
County, Virginia. Deputies to the Convention
chosen. One hundred and seventy-five Pounds
contributed for the relief of the sufferers in Mas-
sachusetts, -
CONTENTS.
1775.
May I,
XLIV
446
- 447
t
- 447
447
448
448
- 449
449
450
450
450
327
- 450
PENNSYLVANIA ASSEMBLY.
May 1, Pennsylvania Assembly, - - - 451-458
Letter from the Agents in England to Charles
Thompson, laid before the House,
Message from the Governour to the Assembly, -
Letter from the Speaker of the Assembly of New-
York, with sundi y Papers, ...
Committee to prepare an Answer to the Govern-
our's Message, .....
Answer of the House to the Governour's Mes-
sage,
Petition from a number of the Inhabitants of
Philadelphia, praying the House to raise and
apply fifty thousand Pounds towards putting
the Province in a state of defence,
Petition presented yesterday considered, -
6, Benjamin Franklin, who arrived yesterday from
London, appointed one of the Delegates to the
Continental Congress, ....
Thomas Willing and James Wilson added to the
Delegation, ----..
Petition from Philadelphia further considered, -
Petition from the Committee of Philadelphia pre-
sented,
Instructions to the Delegates to the Continental
Congress, ----..
Committee appointed, with authority to pay the
engagements enteral into by the Philadelphia
Committee for the publick security,
Committee to provide such Stores as may be ne-
cessary for the service of the Province,
ph Galloway excused from serving as a
Deputy to the Continental Congn - 457
13, Adjourned to Monday, J, ne 19th, - - - 458
2,
3,
4,
5,
9.
11,
12,
451
452
453
454
454
455
455
455
456
456
456
456
456
456
CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, ETC.
Meeting of Freeholders and Inhabitants of Mor-
ris County, New-Jersey. Delegates appointed
to a County Congress, vested with the power
of Legislation, and to raise Men, Money and
Arms, for the common defence, - - - 457
1, Delegates to the County Congress meet. Wil-
liam Winds chosen Chairman, and Archibald
Dallas, Clerk, 457
Voted unanimously that Forces be raised, - 457
2, Five Companies of Volunteers, of sixty men each,
to be raised in the County, - - 457
William Winds appointed Colonel, and William
De Hart, Major, 458
In case of any invasion or alarm, in this or the
neighbouring Provinces, the Regiment to be
called into service, .... - 458
Powder and Lead ordered to be purchased, - 458
Inhabitants of the County advised to provide
themselves with Arms and Ammunition for
defence, in case of invasion, - _ - - 458
Resolves of this Congress to be subject to the
control of the Provincial and Continental Con-
gresses, ------- 458
Adjourned to meet on the ninth of this month, - 459
1, Letter from the Committee of Woodbridge, in
New-Jersey, to the Committees in Massachu-
setts. A Provincial Congress will soon meet,
and in the mean time the People of New-Jer-
sey are preparing for the contest, determined
to stand or fall with the liberties of America, - 459
1, New General Committee for the City and County
of New- York elected, .... 459
1, Deputies elected by the City of New- York to
the Provincial Congress, .... 459
1, Meeting of the Lieutenant-Governour and Coun-
cil of New- York. Reasons assigned by the
Council for their advice to the Lieutenant-Go-
vernour to prorogue the Assembly, - - 460
1, Proclamation by Lieutenant Governour Colden
to prorogue the Assembly to the 7th of June
next, 461
1, Meeting of Freeholders in Richmond County,
New- York. Delegates to the Provincial
Congress appointed, - - - - - 83 1
1, Letter from Timothy Pickering to the Massachu-
setts Committee of Safety. A Regiment may
• be enlisted in Salem, if Field-Officers are ap-
pointed, - - 461
1, Letter from the Boston Committee to Dr. Warren, 461
1, Letter from Lemuel Williams to the Massachu-
setts Congress, desiring to know if the Mer-
chants of Dartmouth may send their Vessels
with Provisions to sea, .... 462
1, Petition of Jonathan Brewer to Massachusetts
Congress, for permission to raise five hundred
Volunteers to march on Quebeck, by way of
the Rivers Kennebeck and Chaudiere, - ' - 462
2, Letter from Holland to the Rev. William Gor-
don. Efforts of the British Government in
Holland and France to prevent supplies of
Arms and Ammunition to the Americans, - 463
2, Letter from an American Gentleman in Paris to
his friend in Philadelphia. The French arc
strongly in favour of the Americans, - - 464
2, Gloucester County, Virginia, Committee, prohibit
the Exportation of Tobacco to England, - 464
2, Meeting of the Governour and Council of Vir-
ginia. Address of the Governour to the Coun-
cil, justifying his seizure of the Powder, and
asking their advice on the propriety of issuing
a Proclamation calling on the People to show
their allegiance to the King at this time, when
schemes are meditated in the Colony for sub-
verting the present, and erecting a new form
of Government, - 4Q4
3, Proclamation by Lord Dunmore, by advice of
the Council, requiring all Officers, civil and
military, to suppress the spirit of Faction which
prevails among the People, .... 455
2, Meeting of the Committee for Kent County,
Delaware. Letter from Robert Holliday, ac-
knowledging he wrote the Paper purporting
to be an extract of a Letter from Kent County,
voted not satisfactory, .... 455
Further concessions made by Robert Holliday
May 9, voted satisfactory, .... 455
XLV
1775.
May 2, Letter from Philadelphia to a Gentleman in Lon-
don. Preparations in the Colonies for re-
sistance, ------- 467
2, New-Jersey Committee of Correspondence, re-
commend an immediate Meeting of the Pro-
vincial Congress, ----- 467
2, Letter from the Committee of Richmond County
to the Committee of New- York, informing
them of their election, and of the adoption of
the measures recommended by the New- York
Committee, 831
1, Meeting of the New- York General Committee, 468
Address from Samuel Broome, on the part of one
hundred citizens who formed themselves into a
Military Association, offering their services in
carrying into effect the General Association, - 468
Every person in the City and County required
to sign the Association, except the Lieutenant-
Governour, ------ 4G8
Rules for the government of the Committee, - 468
Committee to purchase Arms, Ammunition, and
Provisions, ..---- 469
2, Every Inhabitant to perfect himself in Military
Discipline, and provide Arms and Ammuni-
tion, 470
Committee to remove all the Cannon from the
Town that are private property, - 470
Committee to ascertain from the Inhabitants what
Military Stores and Arms they have for their
own use, and for sale, .... 470
Committees for carrying about the Association to
obtain the signatures of the Inhabitants, - 470
Committee to prepare an Address to the Lieuten-
ant-Go vernour, - - - - 471
Committee of Correspondence and Intelligence
appointed, - - - - - -471
General Association signed by the Inhabitants of
the City of New- York, and sent to all the
Counties in the Province to be signed, - - 471
Letter from Governour Wanton to the General
Assembly of Rhode-Island. Prevented by
indisposition from attending the Assembly.
Sends them the Letter from Lord Dartmouth,
of March 3, with Lord North's Resolution,
and recommends their compliance with the
terms of it, - - - - - - 471
2, Letter from the Providence, Rhode-Island, Com-
mittee to the Massachusetts Committee of Safe-
ty. The Assembly will meet to-morrow, when
the situation of Massachusetts, and of Ameri-
ca in general, will be seriously attended to, - 472
2, Letter from a Gentleman in Connecticut to his
friend in New- York. General Gage cannot
penetrate into the Country thus far, with fifty
thousand men. The Assembly have sent two
Gentlemen to General Gage, to tell him if his
hostile proceedings are continued the whole
Country will be armed against him, - - 472
2, Letter from Nathaniel Freeman to Dr. Church.
He is ready to execute any orders from the
Committee of Safety, in the cause of God and
his Country, ------ 473
2, Letter from General Thomas to the Massachu-
setts Committee of Safety. Has taken posses-
sion of a number of Papers of Governour
Hutchinson, found at Milton. Many more are
supposed to be there ; requests the directions of
the Committee, 473
2, Letter from the Provincial Congress of Massa-
chusetts to their Del' gates at Connecticut. The
appointment of two Gentlemen by Connecticut,
to treat with General Gage on the subject of
American Grievances, and to propose a cessa-
tion of hostilities, has caused great alarm.
Any proposals made separately, by a single
Colony, may produce most tremendous effects
with regard to America, will weaken the union
of the Colonies, and endanger the common
cause. They are directed to lay this matter
fully before the Assembly of Connecticut, - 780
2, Letter from the Committee of Safety of Massa-
chusetts to the Governour of Connecticut.
They object to the proposition made by the
Assembly of Connecticut to General Gage, for
a cessation of hostilities ; they can agree to no
compact with General Gage, who has deceived
them; lie, with his Troops, must be driven out
of the Country, which, with the blessing of
CONTENTS.
XLVI
1775.
God, they will accomplish, or perish in the
attempt, 473
May 2, Letter from the Committee of Safety to Mr. Vose,
at Milton, in relation to a paper maker, who is
a prisoner, ---... 474
2, Letter from Richard Derby, Jun., to General
Ward. Information received of a Fleet and
Transports with Troops for Boston, - - 474
3, Letter from Richard Glover of London, to Mat-
thew Tilghman of Maryland, vindicating Mr.
Molleson, a merchant in London, from the
charge of being unfriendly to the Colonies, - 474
3, Letter from the Earl of Dartmouth to Governour
Wright, of Georgia, approving his conduct in
preventing the present disorders in America
from spreading through the Province, - - 475
3, Letter from the Earl of Dartmouth to the Gov-
ernour of North-Carolina. Advises him to
embody the men in Guilford, Dobbs, Rowan,
and Surry Counties, in support of the Govern-
ment. The loyalty these Counties have ex-
pressed in their Addresses to the Governour
has been most graciously received by His
Majesty, who will not fail to afford them marks
of his Royal favour, ----- 476
3, Committee of Amelia County, Virginia, direct
the Militia of the County to be embodied, and
make provision for procu ring Powder and Lead
for their use, ----.. 476
3, Committee of New-Kent County, Virginia. —
Condemn the conduct of Lord Dunmore, in
seizing the Powder, and thank the Committee
of Hanover for their attempt to recover it. —
Company of Volunteers to be formed, and
ready to act on any emergency, - - 477
3, Committee of Cumberland County, Virginia. —
Thanks to Captain Scott and his Independent
Company for their prompt offers of service to
defend the Colony against wicked invaders, - 478
3, Letter from the Earl of Dartmouth to the Gov-
ernour of Pennsylvania. It gives His Ma-
jesty great concern to find that there is no
appearance of the People of Pennsylvania re-
turning to a just sense of their duty, - - 478
3, Meeting of the Association in Philadelphia. The
Provincial Arms and Powder are all secured.
Three Magazines are forming, and in three
weeks there will be four thousand men well
equipped for the defence of Philadelphia, or
for the assistance of their neighbours, - 478
3, Meeting of the Inhabitants of Aquackanonck, in
New-Jersey. Association entered into and
subscribed. General Committee chosen, and
Delegates to the Provincial Convention ap-
pointed, 478
3, Address of Isaac Wilkins, of Westchester, New-
York, to his Countrymen, on leaving America, 479
3, Meeting of the Inhabitants of Orangetown, in
New- York. Appoint Deputies to the Provin-
cial Congress, - - - - - 831
3, Meeting of the New- York Committee, - - 479
Letter from John Cruger and Jacob Walton, as-
signing their reasons for not signing the Asso-
ciation, - - - - - - 479
Committee to ascertain the causes for the dis-
charge of the Eastern Post-Rider, - - 480
Thanks to the Officers and Men of the Connec-
ticut Troops who have marched to this City,
for its defence, ------ 480
Committee appointed to confer with four Gentle-
men from Philadelphia, - - - - 481
Letter received from the Inhabitants of Ulster
County, requesting advice and aid in procur-
ing Arms and Ammunition, ... 481
Committee report that Mr. Foxcroft, the Post-
Master, informed them he had discharged the
Post-Riders, because the four last Mails were
stopped, broken open, and the Letters taken
out and publickly read, - - - - 481
4, Committee appointed to examine the Ground at
and near King's Bridge, to ascertain its fit-
ness for Fortifications, - - - - 481
The discharged Post-Riders to be employed to
depart on the usual days, and go the usual
Stages. Mr. Ebenezer Hazard has under-
taken to receive and forward the Letters, - 482
3, Letter from General Gage to Governour Trum-
bull, in reply to his Letter of April 28 Justi-
XI-VTI
177.-..
CONTENTS.
xlviii
May 3,
3,
3.
4.
I.
- 482
483
484
485
485
48G
501
502
his conduct, mid denies it is Ins intention
e and desolate the Country
charges of outrages against his Troops for
r conduct on the l'.'th of April, are con-
trary to their known humanity; they acted
with great te othto theytrangaad
the oM; !)■• has found no instance of their
cruelty or barbarity, -
i this Letter, addressed to the Printer
of the Massachusetts Spy, . - - •
Certificate in favour of Ebeuezer Branson, Jun.,
of Cambridge, ------
Orders of the Massachusetts Committee of Safe-
ty to Benedict Arnold, comtnande* of a body
of Troops on an Expedition to subdue and
take possession of the Fort of Tieonderoga, -
Petition of the Selectmen of Brainlroe, Wey-
mouth, and Hingham, in Massachusetts, to the
Committee of Safety, representing their de-
fenceless condition, and asking for assistance,
Petition of James Cargill, commander of the Li-
berty-men in New-Castle, praying a supply of
Ammunition from the Massachusetts Con-
gress, -------
Letter from the Provincial Congress of Massa-
chusetts to the honourable American Congress,
to be convened at Philadelphia, on the tenth
of May, instant, enclosing copies of Deposi-
tions, an Address to the Inhabitants of Great
Britain, and a Letter to Dr. Franklin, Colony
Agent in London, ... - 486-501
Letter from Alexander Scammell to John Sulli-
van, - - - - - -
Letter from the Committee of Brunswick to the
Massachusetts Committee of Safety. The
Town, deficient in Arms and Ammunition,
have sent to Salern, but cannot buy them;
apply for assistance, - - - - -
Committee for Norfolk County, Virginia, ap-
prove the Proceedings of the Convention at
Richmond. Lord Dunmore's Letter to the
Earl of Dartmouth, dated December 24, 1774,
grossly misrepresents the People of this Colo-
ny, and especially the Magistrates. Strictures
on the Letter, refuting its atrocious and defama-
tory charges, ------
Letter from Captain Montague, of His Majesty's
Ship Fowey, to Thomas Nelson, President of
His Majesty's Council in Virginia, threaten-
ing to fire upon the Town of York, if a de-
tachment he had sent to protect Lord Dunmore
at Williamsburgh should be fired upon,
Proceedings of the Committee of York on this
Letter, -------
Meeting of the Inhabitants of Upper Freehold,
Monmouth County, New-Jersey. Will risk
every consequence rather than submit to the
claims set up by the British Parliament. Four
Companies formed for the common defence,
and Money subscribed to procure Powder, -
Meeting of the Freeholders and Inhabitants of
Newark, in New-Jersey. Association agreed
to. Deputies to the Provincial Congress ap-
pointed. Powers of the General Committee
continued. Committee of Correspondence ap-
pointed, -----..
Letter from a Gentleman in New- York to his
Correspondent in London. All the Provinces
refuse submission to the late Acts of Parlia-
ment, and will oppose at the risk of their lives
and fortunes all who come to enforce them, -
Mr. Goddard on a journey to the Eastward, to
put the Posts on a proper footing, to be laid
before Congress, ...
Letter from Governour Trumbull to Doctor War-
ren. The Assembly will pursue with firm-
ness, deliberation and unanimity, the measures
which appear best for our common defence and
safety. It is hoped no ill consequences will
attend tin ir Embassy to General Gage,
Letter from the Commie of Massa
chusetts to ( lovernour Trumbull, requesting he
will immediately send three or four thousand
Men, to enable them to secure a pass of the
greatest importance to the common interest,
which General Gage will possess himself of
i' -enforcement i arrive, if not
prevented now, ..... ^qq
1775.
May 4,
4,
502
504
504
504
505
506
- 506
- 506
4,
4,
o.
o,
5,
5,
5,
5,
5,
•r>,
B|
Letter from the Committee of Safety of Y
chusetts to the New- York Committee,
Letter from a ( Sentleman at Pittsfield to an Offi-
cer at Cambridge. Colonel Baston left here
on the 2d instant, on an expedition against Ti-
eonderoga and Crown Point, expecting to be
re-enforced by Colonel Ethan Allen, with his
Green Mountain Boys. The' plan was con-
d on the 28th of April, at Hartford, by the
< iovernour and Council, John Hancock and
Samuel Adams being present. The Tories
have been very troublesome at Pittsfield; some
have been arrested and sent to Northampton
Jail,
Application of the Selectmen of Topsham to the
Massachusetts Congress, for Powder, -
Letter from Colonel Thomas Gilbert to his sons.
Arrived safe in Boston, where he expects to
stay till the Rebels are subdued; urges them
not to join those wicked sinners, the Rebels,
but to die by the sword rather than be hanged
as Rebels, - - - - "
Letter from London to a Gentlemen in New-
York. Major Skene has told the Ministry
that he can bribe all the Members of the Con-
tinental Congress, and has been sent to Phila-
delphia for that purpose, - - -
New-York Committee. Letter to the several
Colonies adopted and forwarded. Letter re-
ceived from Richmond County, where they
have chosen Members to the Provincial Con-
gress. Answer to the Address of Captain
Broome. Letter received from Annapolis,
dated May 1. Letter to the Lord Mayor of
London approved of. Letter from Albany,
dated May 3, received: Committee directed to
confer with Messrs. Hancock and Adams, on
the subject of this Letter, - - - -
Letter from the New-York Committee to the
several Colonies, -
Letter from the New- York Committee to the
Mayor and Corporation of London,
Letter from the Members of the New- York As-
sembly to General Gage, urging him imme-
diately to cease further hostilities, until His
Majesty can be apprised of the situation of the
American Colonies, ....
Meeting of the Committees of Suffolk County,
New- York. Deputies for the County to the
Provincial Congress appointed, ...
Letter from the Committees of Suffolk County
to the Committee for Brookhaven, informing
them of their appointment of Deputies, and
requesting their concurrence, ...
Letter from the Selectmen of Worcester to the
Massachusetts Congress, - - - -
Letter from the Massachusetts Congress to the
Assembly of Connecticut. The absurdity of
the assertion of General Gage, that the People
of Massachusetts first commenced hostilities,
will appear when the great inequality of the
Lexington Company and Detachment of Re-
gular Troops which attacked them, is consi-
dered. No dependance can be placed in the
assertions or professions of General Gage ;
he has been preparing for war, while he was
amusing us with pretensions of kindness and
benevolence. It is the opinion of the Congress
that a powerful Army is the best and only
measure left to bring the present disputes to a
happy issue,
Letter from the Provincial Congress of Massa
chusetts to General Ward. The liberation of
the Inhabitants of Boston being obstructed,
he is requested strictly to execute the orders
of the Congress respecting Permits into the
country, ......
Petition from the Settlements on the Sheepscot
River and Deer's River (without the limits of
any Town) to the Massachusetts Congress, for
a supply of Powder and Ball, to enable them
to assist in vindicating American Liberty,
Letter from Enoch Freeman to the Massachu-
setts Congress. The Penobscot Indians being
exasperateil with Capt Goldthwaite, it would
be prudent for the Congress to send down there
and secure the Indi ins in our interest. The
Selectmen of Falmouth have sent persons to
507
507
508
508
- 503
509
510
510
513
831
832
513
- 786
787
514
XLIX
1775.
May 5,
CONTENTS.
go over to Gluebeck to see if the Canadians
are in motion to come on our back settlements, 514
Petition of Timothy Langdon to the Massachu-
setts Congress, complaining of Colonel Thomp-
son, of Brunswick, who has seized Edward
Parry, for having prepared Masts for the King;
the matter having been previously examined
and disposed of by the Committees of Lincoln, 515
5, Letter from James Gowen, of Kittery, to Gene-
ral Ward, asking permission for Johnson Moul-
ton to raise a Regiment, - - - - 515
5, Letter from General Thomas to the Massachu-
setts Committee, requesting them to send per-
sons to examine the Trunks of Governour
Hutchinson, - - - - - -515
6, Letter from the Committee of Safety to General
Thomas. The effects of all persons are to go
into Boston without search or detention; there-
fore the Trunks of Governour Hutchinson are
not to be detained or injured, - - - 515
6, Proclamation by Lord Dunmore, charging all per-
sons, on their allegiance, not to aid, abet, or
give countenance to a certain Patrick Henry,
of Hanover County, or any of his deluded fol-
lowers, - - - - - - -516
6, Letter from Carlisle, in Pennsylvania, to a Gen-
tleman in Philadelphia. About three thousand
men have associated, and about fifteen hundred
are prepared. The Committee have directed
that five hundred men be taken into pay imme-
diately, - - - - - - - 516
6, Printed Letter to the Regular Soldiers of Great
Britain, distributed among the Soldiers in the
Barracks in New- York, - - - - 516
6, Delegates from Massachusetts to the Continental
Congress received in New- York on the 8th:
' with the Delegates from New- York, received
in New-Jersey, - - - - - 517
6, Letter from the Rev. William Gordon, with a
copy of a Paper found among those of the late
Josiah duincy, - - - - -518
6, Letter from Montreal. Occurrences there on the
1st of May, when the new Ouebeck Act took
effect in Canada, - - - - -518
6, Letter from William Whipple to the Massachu-
setts Congress, on the arrest of Mr. Parry by
Colonel Thompson, ----- 520
6, Letter from Metcalf Bowler to the Massachusetts
Committee of Safety. The Assembly of Rhode-
Island are using every method in their power to
have their men in readiness to take the field as
early as possible, ..... 520
NEW-HAMPSHIRE ASSEMBLY.
May 4, New-Hampshire Assembly, - 519
List of the Members, - - - - - 519
5, Directed to choose a Speaker, ... 520
John Wentworth chosen Speaker, ... 520
6, Letter from the Speaker of the House of Repre-
sentatives of New- York laid before the House, 521
Speech of Governour Wentworth to both Houses, 522
Assembly adjourned to the 12th of June next, - 524
CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, ETC.
May 7, Letter from Thomas Jefferson to Dr. William
Small,
7, Letter from the Massachusetts Committee of Safe-
ty to the Committee of Albany, New- York, -
7, Letter from the Massachusetts Committee of Safe-
ty to Col. James Scammons. It is understood
that it would be agreeable to the people of
York that Johnson Moulton should have the
command of the Regiment to be raised there,
and therefore request Colonel Scammons to
give way for him, ....
7, Order of Admiral Graves to Lieutenant Graves,
to seize a Vessel at Marblehead, and bring her
into Boston, -
8, Resolution of the Common Council of Williams-
burgh, Virginia, on the breaking into the Ma-
gazine and taking thence the Fire-Arms,
8, Meeting of the Sussex County, Virginia, Com-
mittee. Declare the Letter of Lord Dunmore
to the Earl of Dartmouth, dated December 24,
1774, to be fraught with calumny, falsehoods
and illiberal reflections against the People of
Fourth Series. — Vol. if.
523
523
- 524
525
525
1775.
May 8.
8,
%
10,
11,
12,
14,
8,
8,
8,
Virginia. Direct Troops to be raised, Offi-
cers appointed, and Ammunition furnished. —
Committee of Intelligence and Correspondence
appointed, ......
Meeting of the Freeholders of Mecklenburgh
County, Virginia. Appoint a Committee to
secure a due observance of the Continental As-
sociation, and every member of the Committee
required to exert his endeavours to enlist Vo-
lunteers, as required by the late Provincial
Convention, ......
Meeting of Prince George, Virginia, Commit-
tee. Every person importing any Goods into
this County must, before they are landed, pro-
duce a Certificate from the Committee whence
they were reshipped, that they were imported
into this Colony before the 1st day of Febru-
ary last. Committee of Intelligence appointed,
Proceedings in relation to Capt. Charles Alexan-
der, .......
Louisa County, Virginia, Committee. Thanks
to Captain Patrick Henry and the Hanover
Volunteers, for procuring satisfaction for the
Gunpowder taken by Lord Dunmore, -
Meeting of the Freeholders of Westchester Coun-
ty, New- York. Deputies to the Provincial
Congress appointed. The Committee then
signed the Association, and appointed Sub-
Committees to superintend the signing of it
throughout the County, -
New-York Committee. Members present,
All persons importing Arms or Ammunition
required to deliver them to the Committee in
ten days, and all persons prohibited from dis-
posing of any in any other manner,
Committee directed to report a Resolution for the
regulation of such vessels as shall depart with
Provisions, ......
Committee appointed to have the Muskets fitted
with steel Rammers, ...
Thanks to Mr. Sharpe for delivering a number
of Arms gratis, ....
Committee to prepare a Letter to the Delegates
in Congress, requesting the advice of the Con-
tinental Congress with respect to the conduct
to be observed towards any Troops that may
arrive here, -
Address to the Lieutenant-Governour read and
approved of, ----- -
Committee appointed to convey the earliest intel-
ligence to the Counties in this Province,
Physicians requested to abstain from inoculating
for the Small-Pox, ....
Committee appointed to present the Address of
the Committee to the Lieutenant-Governour.
No Inhabitant to be treated as an enemy to the
Country but by order of the Continental or
Provincial Congress, or this Committee,
Committee of Correspondence directed to write
to the neighbouring Committees to prevent the
Man-of-War in the Harbour from being sup-
plied with Provisions for the Troops at Bos-
ton, from New-Jersey or Staten-Island,
Address of the Committee to Lieutenant-Govern-
our Colden, ......
His Honour's Answer, - - - - -
Petition from the Inhabitants of Ridgebury, in
the Township of Ridgefield, to Gov. Trumbull,
Committee of Maiden and Chelsea order their
suspicions, of Doctor Samuel Danforth's at-
tachment to the Country, to be communicated
to General Ward, ....
A Constitutional Post-Office is now rising on
the ruins of the Parliamentary one,
List of the Post-Offices established, ...
Mr. Holt's Post-Office in New- York, (Note,) -
Letter from the Provincial Congress of Massa-
chusetts to the Selectmen of the Town of
Hopkinton. A violation of the natural right
of an individual to remove his person and
effects wherever he pleases, would ill become
those who are contending for the inalienable
right of every man to his own property, and to
dispose of it as he pleases. It is hoped that Mr.
Barret's example will not become infectious, -
Letter from the Provincial Congress of Massa-
chusetts to the Committee from Portsmouth,
New-Hampshire, - . . . .
526
526
527
527
- 529
529
529
530
530
- 531
r
- 531
- 531
531
- 532
- 532
532
- 533
533
534
536
- 536
536
537
538
791
79i
LI
1775.
May 8,
a.
CONTENTS.
1775.
LU
9,
9,
9.
9,
9,
4.
t,
9,
9,
9.
9,
10,
Letter from the Provincial Congress of M
• us to General Ward, directing him to
apprehend certain named eenooa, aad bring
them before the Committee of Safety for
examination, ------
Liter from Samuel Mather to the Massachusetts
Oeacreaa; onrilnaina General Gage's areum-
slanlial aceomit of lie- engagement on the
19th of April,
Letter from the Selectmen of Worcester to the
Massachusetts Congress. Samuel Paine and
William Campbell sent to Watertown, as per-
sons disaffected to the Country, - - -
Imposition of Gardner Chandler, -
Spottsylvania County, Virginia, Committee, ap-
prove of the Proceedings of Captain Patrick
I It nry, concerning the Powder taken from the
Magazine by Lord Dunmore, -
Orange County, Virginia, Committee, declare the
removal of the Powder by Lord Dunmore
was fraudulent ; that the reprisal made by the
Hanover Volunteers merits the approbation of
the public k : and present an Address of thanks
to Captain Patrick Henry, - - - -
Meeting of the Hanover County, Virginia, Com-
mittee. Report of the Proceedings of the
Hanover Volunteers in making reprisals for
the Powder seized by Lord Dunmore, -
Patrick Henry's receipt for three hundred and
thirty Pounds, as a compensation for the Pow-
der taken from the Magazine in Williams-
burgh, by order of Lord Dunmore,
Letter from Patrick Henry to Robert Carter
Nicholas, informing him that the aftair of the
Powder is settled, and offering a guard for the
Treasury, ......
Letter from a Gentleman in Bucks County,
Pennsylvania, to his friend in Philadelphia.
Several Towns of the County have begun to
form Military Associations, ...
Meeting of the Committee for Bucks County,
Pennsylvania. Proceedings of the Conven-
tion in January, approved. Inhabitants of the
Towns in the County recommended to asso-
ciate to improve in the Military Art. Dele-
gates to a Provincial Convention appointed, -
Bedford County, Pennsylvania, Committee. Mili-
tary Associations to be formed throughout the
County immediately; Powder and Lead to be
furnished. If any person shall refuse to enrol
himself in some Company, he shall not be
permitted to have any dealing, by buying or
selling, or borrowing or lending, with any In-
habitant of the County, - - . '
Letter from Ulster County, New- York, to a
Gentleman in the City of New- York. A
great revolution has taken place in this Coun-
ty. At a meeting yesterday those who have
hitherto opposed the Committees agreed to unite
in support of their measures, ...
Letter from Joel Clark to Governour Trumbull.
Recapitulates his former services, and now
makes a tender of them, ....
Letter from Thomas Howell to Governour
Trumbull. Thanks him for the appointment
he has received, but believing it will conduce
to the peace of the Town, (New- Haven,) re-
__ signs, and recommends Jonathan Fitch, -
Sheffield, Massachusetts, Committee, on 'an in-
vestigation of the charges against Job West-
over, resolve that he is an enemy of American
Liberty, and that it is the duty of all friends of
freedom to break off all dealings with him -
Letter from a Gentleman in Pittsfield, Massa-
chusetts, to an Officer of the Connecticut
Forces, at Cambridge. The Stockbridge In-
dians are willing to join the Colonies, and will
be of (Treat service if Gage marches out of
Boston. There are but twelve Soldiers at
Crown Point, and about two hundred at Ticon-
deroga; they are much alarmed with oar ex-
pedition, --....
Petition from Cohasset to the Committee of Safe!
ty, praying permission to raise a Company
for their defence, - . . . ,
Letter (ran the Committee of Lvnn to the Com-
mittee oi Safety, wnh Jonah Mania, char—d
with having acted as an enemy to the Province,
794
538
538
539
539
539
540
540
541
541
542
543
543
544
544
545
546
547
546
- 54?
■A7
10,
10,
347
832
548
- 556
549
798
549
V 10,Lettcrfrom London to a Gentleman in Philadel-
phia. It is believed here that notwithstanding
your seeming firmness and hostile prepara-
tion, you will submit to anything rather than
contend with us, - - - - -
10, Thanks of the Williamsburgh, Virginia, Volun-
teers to the Volunteers who offered their as-
sistance on the late alarm, - - - -
10, Letter from New- York to a Gentleman in Phila-
delphia, -------
10, Meeting of the Freeholders of Goshen Precinct,
in Orange County, New- York, appoint Dele-
gates to the Provincial Congress,
10, Address to the Publick, by the Ulster County,
New- York, Committee, correcting the mis-
representations of Mr. Jacobus Louw, -
10, Letter from the Committee of War for the expe-
dition against Ticonderoga and Crown Point,
to the Massachusetts Congress. Ticonderoga
was taken this morning, and the Committee
have given the command to Colonel Ethan
Allen. Arnold claims the command, but did
not enlist a man for the expedition,
Town Meeting at Providence, Rhode-Island.
Committee to examine into the state of the
Arms of the Town, - - - - -
Letter from the Provincial Congress of Massa-
chusetts to General Gage, remonstrating
against his violation of the Agreement with the
Selectmen of Boston. The People have com-
plied with it, and surrendered their Arms; and
though a number of days have elapsed, very
few have been permitted to leave the Town, -
10, Letter from General Thomas to the Committee
of Safety, --....
10, Letter from the Committee and Selectmen of
Bristol to the Massachusetts Congress. The
Town of Bristol has three Companies, of
sixty Men each, most of whom have Guns, but
they are out of Ammunition, and cannot pro-
cure a supply, ------ 549
10, Letter from Timothy Pickering, Jun., to the
Committee of Safety, ----- 550
10, Letter from Enoch Freeman to Samuel Freeman.
The threats of Colonel Thompson to take the
Canceaux, in the Harbour of Falmouth, has
thrown the Town in confusion; they can make
no defence against a Man-of-War, - - 550
1 1 , New- Kent County, Virginia, Committee, declare
the charges against the Inhabitants of Virginia,
in Lord Dunmore's Proclamation of the 3d
instant, is an unjust reflection upon them, and
has no foundation in truth, - - - - 551
1 1, Somerset County, New-Jersey, Committee, choose
Delegates to the Provincial Congress, and in-
struct them to agree in arming and supporting
the Militia, 551
1 1, Meeting of Committees of the several Towns
and Precincts in Ulster County, New- York.
Names of the Committees of the several
Towns. Deputies to the Provincial Congress
chosen, ------- 533
1 1, Letter from Ethan Allen to the Albany Commit-
tee, informing them that he has taken the
Fortress of Ticonderoga; and apprehensive
that Governour Carleton will make an effort
to retake it, asks for re-enforcements, - - G06
1 1, Recantation of P. Bailey, James McMaster and
Thomas Achincloss, of Portsmouth, in New-
Hampshire, ------ 552
1 1 , Letter from the Massachusetts Committee of Safe-
ty to General Thomas, - 552
11, Letter from Falmouth, Massachusetts, to a Gen-
tleman at Watertown. Account of the Pro-
ceedings at Falmouth, in consequence of the
capture of Captain Mowatt, of the Canceaux,
by Colonel Thompson, ... - 552
1 1, Letter from the Committee of Deer- Island to the
Massachusetts Congress. The Inhabitants are
out of Powder, Ball and Provisions, and re-
quest assistance, ..... 555
1 1, Letter from the Massachusetts Congress to the
New- York Committee. Two Men-of-War,
with Troops on board, sailed yesterday for
New- York ; it is supposed they have orders
to seize the Ammunition and Military Stores
in the Fort there. - 555
11, Letter from Ethan Allen to the Massachusetis
LIU
1775.
CONTENTS.
LIV
Congress. Ticonderoga taken yesterday morn-
ing by one hundred Green Mountain Boys,
and fifty Soldiers from Massachusetts; the lat-
ter were under the command of Col. Easton, -
May\ 1, Letter from Benedict Arnold to the Massachu-
setts Committee of Safety. Account of the
capture of Ticonderoga, and the state of affairs
there. Allen, who has assumed the command,
is a proper man to head his own wild People,
but entirely unacquainted with military ser-
vice ; and every thing is in confusion, -
Letter from Edward Mott, Chairman of the
Committee of War, to the Massachusetts Con-
gress. Account of planning the Expedition
against Ticonderoga, and of the capture of that
Fortress. The Committee have given the
command to Colonel Allen, to the exclusion of
Arnold, who claimed it after the surrender of
the Fort, ------
11,
CONNECTICUT ASSEMBLY.
556
- 557
- 557
MayW, Connecticut Assembly meets, ... 559
Members of the Council, ... - 559
Members of the House of Representatives, - 559
Acts extending the Boundaries of the Town of
Westmoreland, and making it one Regiment,- 56 1
Bills of Credit for fifty thousand Pounds au-
thorized, r - - - - - -561
Embargo laid in April continued to the first of
August, ------- 562
Quartermaster's and other Stores ordered for the
Troops, - - - - - - - 562
Act for encouraging the manufacturing of Fire-
Arms and Military Stores within the Colony,
for the safety and defence thereof, - - 563
Act for regulating and ordering the Troops that
are or may be raised for the defence of this
Colony, ------- 564
Articles, Rules and Regulations for the govern-
ment of the Troops in the service of the
Colony, ------- 565
Payment authorized for the Ammunition fur-
nished the Inhabitants of the Colony, who
marched either Eastward or Westward in the
late alarm, ------ 570
Committee to take care of, and provide for the
Officers and Soldiers taken prisoners at Crown
Point, - - - - - - - 570
Forms of Commissions for Field and Staff-Offi-
cers adopted, - - - - - -571
Committee to provide such store of Lead as may
be necessary for the use of the Colony, - 573
Committee to employ News Carriers at the pub-
lick expense, ' - - - - - - 573
Committee of War appointed, ... 373
Five hundred pounds of Powder to be sent to
Crown Point and Ticonderoga, to Colonel
Easton, ------- 574
Officers appointed, ----- 574
Officers of the Company of Northbury, in Wa-
terbury, cashiered, for being totally disaffected
to the general cause of American Liberty, - 575
Committee on a Petition from New-London,
recommending the encouragement of certain
Manufactures, ------ 575
Report of Committee on what Intelligence, Pa-
pers and Documents are necessary to be com-
municated to the Continental Congress, - - 576
CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, ETC.
Ma# 12, Letter from London to a Gentleman in Philadel-
phia. Mr. Burke is to present the Remon-
strance of the New- York Assembly on Mon-
day next; the Ministry are determined it shall
not be received, ----- 577
12, Richmond County, Virginia, Committee. Re-
solutions of the Committee, vindicating their
Constituents from the atrocious aspersions in
Lord Dunmore's Proclamation of the third
instant, ----... 578
12, Proclamation by Lord Dunmore, appointing the
first Thursday in next month for the meeting
of the General Assembly, - - - . 578
12, Joseph Galloway's Address to the Publick. De-
nying the charge that he had wrote Letters to
the Ministry inimical to America, - - 579
1775.
ilfayl2,Committee of Correspondence for Bergen Coun-
ty, in New-Jersey, appointed, ... 579
12, Delegates to the Provincial Congress of New-
York chosen by the Committees in Charlotte
County, 833
12, Freeholders and Inhabitants of Ha verstraw Pre-
cinct, in Orange County, New- York, choose
Delegates to the Provincial Congress, - - 834
12, Letter from the Albany Committee to the New-
York Committee, enclosing a copy of a Let-
ter from Ethan Allen, dated Ticonderoga, May
1 1, giving an account of the capture of that
Fortress, ------- 605
12, Letter from S. Osgood to the Massachusetts Com-
mittee of Safety. Notwithstanding the agree-
ment with General Gage, the People of Bos-
ton, though they complied with it on their part,
are not permitted to leave Boston, - - 579
12, Petition from the Inhabitants of the Eastern parts
of Massachusetts to the Provincial Congress,
praying for assistance in Powder, Balls and
Flints, that they may have wherewithal to
defend themselves, ----- 580
12, Letter from the Selectmen of Amesbury to the
Massachusetts Committee of Safety, - - 580
12, Letter from the Committee of Supplies to the
Massachusetts Congress, - - - - 581
12, Letter from General Thomas to the Committee of
Safety, 581
13, Letter from James Cavet to Arthur St. Clair.
The situation of the well-affected Inhabitants
of Pittsburgh is almost intolerable ; if not as-
sisted they will be ruined, --- - 581
13, Letter from the Committee for Mamicoting to the
New- York Congress. The Inhabitants have
all signed the Association, and are determined
to stand by it ; they have chosen Militia Offi-
cers, and request the appointments may be
confirmed by the Congress, ... 834
13, Letter from Dr. Wheelock to Govemour Trum-
bull, ... --- 582
1 3, Letter from Thomas Fraser, in London, to George
Erving, of Boston, ----- 583
13, Letter from Timothy Ladd to the New- Hamp-
shire Congress, offering his services for the
defence of the liberties of America, - - 584
14, Letter from Benedict Arnold to the Massachusetts
• CommitteeofSafety. Crown Point, with eleven
Prisoners, and a number of Cannon, taken.
Major Skene made prisoner. Mr. Allen's
party is decreasing, and the dispute subsiding, 584
14, Letter from Jedediah Preble to the Massachusetts
Congress. Proceedings of Colonel Thomp-
son, at Falmouth ; his capture and detention of
Captain Mowatt, who is released on his promise
to return on shore the next morning : he does
not return, and his securities are arrested, - 585
15, Letter from the Committee of Correspondence
for Falmouth, in Massachusetts, to the Com-
mittee of Safety. Dangerous consequences
anticipated from the conduct of Col. Thomp-
son, ------- 586
Resolution of the Provincial Congress disap-
proving of the conduct of Col. Thompson, - 587
15, Address of the Council to the People of Virgi-
nia. A redress of Grievances is more likely
to be obtained by gentle methods than by in-
temperate behaviour. An Assembly will soon
meet, when the People may represent their
Grievances in the manner prescribed by the
Constitution, - 587
15, Chester County, Pennsylvania, Committee. The
British Parliament having in an Address to
His Majesty declared the People of Massa-
chusetts-Bay to be in a state of open Rebellion,
encouraged by several other Colonies, it is the
duty of the Freemen of this County to asso-
ciate and provide themselves with Arms and
Ammunition, to defend their lives and liber-
ties, 588
NEW-JERSEY ASSEMBLY.
May\ 5, Assembly of New-Jersey meets, - - - 589
List of Representatives, - 589
Letters from the Agents in England, and the
Speaker of the House of Representatives of
New- York, laid before the House, - - 589
LV
1TT5
J»fayi6,Govcniour's Speech to ihe Council and House
of Assembly, - - - - ,"—"
Address to the King from the Lords and Com-
mons of Great Britain, of the 7th of Febru-
ary, 1775, and a copy of Lord North's Reso-
lution laid before the House, -
Letter from Governour Franklin to the Earl of
1 hirtmouth, dated February 1, 1775, laid before
the House, -
Governour's Speech and Papers referred to a
Committee of the Whole House, and consi-
dered, - - - - - "
Address to the Governour in answer to his Speech
ordered, and Committee appointed to prepare
it, . . - - - - - -
Message to the Governour, requesting him to in-
form the House, whether the Letter to the
Earl of Dartmouth, presented to the House on
the 16th, is authentick or not, -
Address in answer to the Governour's Speech,
considered in Committee of the Whole, re-
ported, amended, and agreed to, -
The Speaker with the House wait upon the
Governour in the Council Chamber with the
Address, -------
The Speaker declares his dissent to the Address,
Address of the House to the Governour, -
Governour's Answer, -
The House cannot comply with and adopt the
Resolution of the House of Commons of Feb-
ruary 27th, but recommend to their Delegates
to lay it before the Continental Congress,
Message from the Governour to the Assembly in
reply to their Address on the subject of his
Letter to the Earl of Dartmouth, dated Febru-
ary 1, 1775,
Committee appointed to consider the Message, and
make report to the next sitting of the Assembly,
Assembly prorogued to the 20th of June next, -
CONTENTS.
LVI
17,
18,
19,
20.
590
595
- 595
596
596
597
598
599
599
599
601
602
602
604
604
CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, ETC.
3fay 15,New- York Committee, .... 603
Address from the Captains of six Companies, of-
fering their services to co-operate in carrying
into effect the Continental Association, - - 604
Copies of the General Association of New- York,
left in the several Wards of the City for signa-
ture; all persons recommended to sign it as
speedily as possible, ... 605
15, Letter from New- York Committee to the Conti-
nental Congress, enclosing copies of Letters,
with authentick intelligence of the capture of
Ticonderoga, ...... 605
15, Newburgh, New- York, Committee. A num-
ber of persons having neglected or refused to
sign the Association, they are requested to do
so ; such as do not sign it on or before the 29th
instant, to be considered enemies to the Coun-
try, and no person shall have any dealings
with them, 606
15, Inhabitants of Cornwall Precinct, in Orange
County, New- York, choose Deputies to the
Provincial Congress, ..... 834
15, Providence, Rhode-Island, Town Meeting. Com-
mittees authorized to purchase Arms for all
able-bodied Men not able to purchase them-
selves ; and the Town stock of Powder and
Lead to be made up into Cartridges, - - 607
10, Letter from Newport, Rhode-Island. Two
Sloops at Bedford taken by Capt. Lindsay, of
the Falcon, sloop-of-war, retaken by the Peo-
ple of Bedford ; one of the enemy was killed,
two were wounded, and thirteen made prisoners, 608
1 5, Sloop at Dartmouth seized by Captain Linsday, of
the Falcon, retaken with the prize crew, - 608
15, Recantation of the Rev. Samuel Dana, of Gro-
ton, Massachusetts, ..... 608
15, Letter from General Gage to the Earl of Dart-
mouth, ---.... 609
15, Petition from several Towns in Suffolk County,
Massachusetts, to the Committee of Safety, re-
questing the appointment of Colonel Lemuel
Robinson, of Dorchester, .... 609
1 5, Petition of John Boice and Hugh McLean to the
Manaehui I questing thai certain
enlisted Soldiers, who are Paper .Makers, may
be discharged, ...... 609
15,
15,
15.
15,
15,
16,
610
- 610
. 610
611
16.
16,
16,
1775.
,V(///15,Letter from a Committee at Berwick, to the Com-
mittee of Safety, objecting to the appointment
of one Alexander Scammell, who lives in New-
Hampshire,
Letter from Jedediah Preble to the Committee of
Safety, objecting to the raising of two Regi-
ments in the County of Cumberland, -
Letter from the Massachusetts Congress to the
Eastern Indians, - - - "
Portsmouth, New-Hampshire, Town Meeting.
The Committee of the Town empowered to
inquire touching any obnoxious persons who
may flee to this Town, and none but the Com-
mittee shall have any concern with such Re-
fugees, ------
Letter from the Committee and Selectmen of
Marlow, New-Hampshire, to the Provincial
Committee. They are not able to support a
Delegate to the Provincial Congress, but with
their lives and interests will assist in defence
of the Colonies, 612
Letter from the Town of Alstcad, in New-Hamp-
shire, to the Delegates of the Province, now
sitting at Exeter. Cannot support a Delegate
to the Congress, but will abide by all its deci-
sions, - - - - - - -612
Meeting of the Inhabitants of Augusta County,
Virginia, on the West side of Laurel Hill, at
Pittsburgh ; appoint a Committee for the Dis-
trict. The Committee resolve to support all
the American measures ; make provision for
embodying the Militia, procuring Arms and
Ammunition, and for cultivating a friendship
with the Indians, - - - - - 613
Instructions to John Harvie and George Roote,
Delegates from the People West of Laurel
Hill, to the Virginia Convention, - - 614
Letter from Dr. Franklin to Dr. Priestley, - 615
Meeting of the Inhabitants of the County of
Westmoreland, in Pennsylvania. It is the in-
dispensable duty of every American, by every
means which God has put in his power, to resist
and oppose the system of tyranny and oppres-
sion attempted to be exercised by the Parlia-
ment and Ministry of Great Britain, - - 615
Association of the Inhabitants of Westmoreland
County, in Pennsylvania, - - - - 615
Meeting of the Council of Pennsylvania. Eight
Indians, who arrived in Philadelphia on the
14th, brought before the Council, - - 616
Speech of one of the Indians to the Governour, 616
The Indians sent for, and the Governour began
delivering a Speech in reply to them, but
having a bad translator, it was postponed to the
20th instant, 617
Speech of the Governour in reply to that of the
Indians, .-.-.-- 617
The Indians receive three hundred Dollars, and
signed a receipt for it on the back of the Deed
executed at Fort Stan wix, in 1768, - - 617
New- York Committee. The Ward Companies
of Militia recommended to enrol their Men in
the different Beats, to be in readiness to take
their tour of duty as a Military Night Watch, 618
Letter from the Delegates from New- York in
the Continental Congress, to the New- York
Committee, enclosing a Resolution of the Con-
gress of the 15th, recommending to the Inha-
bitants, in the event of the arrival of any
Troops, to act on the defensive, so long as may
be consistent with their safety and security, - 618
16, Dutchess County, New- York, Committee, cer-
tify the election of Deputies to the Provincial
Congress, .--... 834
16, Letter from the Committee of Correspondence
for Connecticut to the Massachusetts Congress.
The expedition against Ticonderoga was set on
foot by some private persons in Connecticut,
and carried into effect without the aid of those
afterwards sent from Massachusetts; but as it
was done for the common cause, they will not
contend for the precedency, - - -618
16, Letter from Joseph Warren to Arthur Lee, . 619
16, Letter from the Provincial Congress of Massa-
chusetts to the Continental Congress, repre-
senting the dangerous situation of affairs there
without a regular Government, and asking
their advice about taking up uud exercising
16,
16,
18,
20,
16,
16,
LVI1
1775.
CONTENTS.
LVIII
17,
17,
17,
17,
17,
17,
17,
17,
17,
17,
17,
17.
17.
17,
18,
18,
18,
622
668
the powers of Government : they also request
the Congress to take the general direction of
the Army, 620
May 16, Letter from Henry Young Brown to the Massa-
chusetts Congress. Communicates his suspi-
cions that the Indians are about to take sides
with Canada. There are but ten Guns, twenty
pounds of Powder, and half a hundred of
Lead, in the Town of Brownfield. Applies to
the Congress for assistance, ...
Middlesex County, Virginia, Committee. Tho-
mas Haddin, having reviled the Continental
Association, and refused to sign it, is held forth
to the publick as an enemy to American Li-
berty, .......
Cumberland County, Virginia, Committee, ap-
prove of the Resolution of Maryland to stop
Exportations to Quebeck, &c, and in conse-
quence of the alarming situation of American
affairs, especially in the Province of New-
York, recommend a Colony Convention be
immediately called, 622
Address of Cumberland County to the Inhabi-
tants of the lower parts of Virginia, offering
protection and support to their Wives and
Children, in case of an invasion of the Colo-
ny by sea, 622
Cecil County, Maryland, Committee. Charles
Gordon having maliciously aspersed the Con-
tinental Congress and the Provincial Conven-
tion, is declared an enemy to the Country, and
as such none are to have dealings or commu-
nications with him, ..... 622
John Brown arrived at Philadelphia from Ticon-
deroga, an Express to the General Congress,
with an account of the capture of Ticonderoga
and Crown Point, and of an attempt made by
the British to find a passage for an Army from
Canada to Boston, 623
Colonel Easton at the Provincial Congress in
Watertown, with an account of the Capture of
Ticonderoga and Crown Point, - - - 624
Philadelphia Committee direct the republication
of the Resolve prohibiting the killing of any
Sheep under four years old, ... 625
Votes in First, Second, Third, and Fourth Com-
panies of Brookhaven, with the Poll Lists, for
the choice of a Deputy to the Provincial Con-
gress of New-York, 835
Account of the commencement of Hostilities be-
tween Great Britain and America, in the Pro-
vince of Massachusetts- Bay, by the Reverend
Mr. William Gordon, of Roxbury, in a Letter
to a Gentleman in England, ... 625
Letter from the Congress of Massachusetts to the
Assembly of Connecticut, suggesting the pro-
priety of having the Cannon at Ticonderoga
and Crown Point removed immediately to the
Camp at Cambridge, and the appointing of
Colonel Arnold to take charge of them down,
with all possible haste, to prevent disputes be-
tween him and other officers, ... g08
Committees of Correspondence for the several
Towns and Districts of Worcester County, in
Massachusetts, requested to meet at the Court-
House on Wednesday next, May 24th, - - 700
Letters of Governour Hutchinson, lately disco-
vered, show what a slave he has been to the
Ministry. Copy of one from him to General
Gage, enclosing one from Bernard, in 1771, - 632
Letter from the Committee of Northborough to
General Ward, charging Ebenezer Cutler, late
of Groton, as an enemy to his country, - - 632
Letter from the Portsmouth, New- Hampshire,
Committee, to the Provincial Congress. Re-
quest to know if a Vessel may load with Masts, 632
Declaration by the Grand Jury of Newcastle,
Delaware, ...... 633
Letter from Arthur St. Clair to Joseph Shippen,
Jun., enclosing Letter of James Cavet, dated
May 18th. Yesterday a County Meeting, in
Westmoreland, passed Resolutions to arm and
discipline the Militia, and formed an Associa-
tion, 633
General Committee of Association for Newark,
in New-Jersey, stop all Exportations to Glue-
beck, Nova-Scotia, Georgia, and Newfound-
land, 634
18,
It
18,
U
18,
U
It
18.
18,
1775.
May 18, Instructions to the Deputies elected to represent
the Town of Newark, in Essex County, in the
Provincial Congress of New-Jersey, - - 634
New- York Committee. Committee appointed to
institute a Military Night Watch, - - 636
Letter from the New- York Committee to the
Governour of Connecticut; thank him for the
kindness of Connecticut in sending Troops to
their assistance, but request he may direct their
encampment on the Western frontiers of Con-
necticut, -..-... 636
Directions for a Military Night Watch in the
City of New- York, 636
Letter from the Committee of Palatine District,
Tryon County, New- York, to the Albany
Committee, ...... 637
Letter from Colonel Guy Johnson to the Com-
mittee of Schenectady, New- York, - - 638
Authentick Account of the taking of the Fortres-
ses at Ticonderoga and Crown Point, by a par- *
ty of Connecticut Forces, .... 638
Letter from Ethan Allen to James Morrison and
the Merchants that are friendly to the cause of
Liberty in Montreal, soliciting their immediate
assistance, in Provisions, Ammunition, and
Spirituous Liquors, not as a donation, for he is
ready to pay for them, .... 639
Letter from the Camp at Cambridge. Informa-
tion from Halifax, that the People destroyed a
quantity of Hay, purchased and ready to be
shipped for the Dragoons at Boston, - - 639
Letter from Colonel John Stark to the Provincial
Congress of New-Hampshire, - - - 639
Address of the New-Hampshire Congress to
Governour Wentworth. The British Troops
being sent to America to enforce Acts of Par-
liament by fire, sword, and famine, request to
know from him the truth of a statement that
he has made application for two Regiments, to
be stationed at Portsmouth, ... 640
Caroline County, Virginia, Committee. Reso-
lutions on Lord Dunmore's Letter to the Earl
of Dartmouth, dated December 24, 1 774 ; his
Proclamation of the 3d of May last ; and on
Captain Montague's Letter to Thomas Nelson,
threatening to burn the Town of York, - 640
Address to the Inhabitants of Virginia, on the
conduct of Lord Dunmore, and in defence of
Patrick Henry, - - . . - 641
Address to the Inhabitants of the Manor of Cort-
landt, in New- York, on the efforts of the To-
ries to obtain the ascendancy in the Manor, and
their attempt to commit the People to '' The
Loyalist's Test" last winter, ... 644
Letter from the Massachusetts Committee of Safe-
ty to the Committee of Supplies, - . 645
Letter from Benedict Arnold to the Massachu-
setts Committee of Safety. Surprised and took
St. John's, with the King's Sloop of seventy
tons, on the 18th instant. Allen is about to
keep possession of St. John's, with eighty or a
hundred men; this is a wild, impracticable
scheme, if it could be carried into execution. A
thousand or fifteen hundred men will be neces-
sary to repair and keep Ticonderoga this sum-
mer, 645
List of Cannon taken at Crown Point, - - 646
List of Cannon taken at Ticonderoga, - - 646
Rtturn of Ordnance Stores found at Ticonderoga, 646
Letter from General Ward to the Massachusetts
Congress, urging the immediate settlement of
the Regiments, " if we would save our Coun-
try," ' 647
Letter from James Russell to Joseph Warren,
President of the Provincial Congress, - . 647
Letter from Abijah Brown to the Massachusetts
Committee of Safety. He has removed the
Cannon from Waltham to Watertown, and is
ready to march to Cambridge, ... 647
Petition of Benjamin Thompson, of Concord, in
New-Hampshire, to the Commi tee of Safety.
Requests a thorough examination into the
charges against him, of being inimical to the
liberties of this Country, .... 647
New-Hampshire Committee of Safety. Orders
to Winborn Adams, and nine others, each to
enlist one Company of sixty-two able-bodied
Men: form of enlistment, .... 64g
19,
19,
19.
19,
19,
19,
19,
19,
19,
19,
647
G49
G50
G50
650
650
651
- 651
651
651
- 651
L1X
17".'>.
NEW-HAJIPSHIRE PROVIM 1AL CONVENTION.
jtfaylT.PTOWDeid Convention o! New-Hampshire,
ii oi Members,
bew Thornton chosen President, and Ebene
/rr Thompson Secretory, - - -
Committee to draw up Rules to be observed in
the Convention, ------
Committee to report on establishing a Post-Office,
18 Rules for tie- government of the Convention,
Pogt-OnV<- at Portsmouth established.
Colonel John Hale authorized to proceed to Al-
bany, or any other place he thinks proper, to
procure Fire-Arms awl Guupaffdai for the
use of the Province, -".■""
Committee to prepare nnd bring in a plan of
ways and means for furnishing Troops,
Committee to prepare an Address to be sent to the
ral Towns in the Province, respecting
disputes about Tories, - - - -
19, Petition from Major Andrew McClary, praying
redress of sundry grievances, read,
Letter from Colonel John Stark, requesting a
supply of Fire- Arms, read, ... 651
Recommendations to the Inhabitants to support
good and wholesome Laws ; to encourage all
Religious worship ; to encourage the Woollen
and Linen Manufactory, and the making of
Saltpetre, - -651
Committees of the several Towns requested to
have a watchful eye over all persons who
have used opprobrious expressions respecting
the several Congresses, - - - - 652
Committee from the Massachusetts Congress, in-
troduced into the Convention, ... 652
Selectmen of several Towns requested to furnish
the Arms wanted by Colonel Stark, - - 652
20, Resolutions authorizing the raising and equip-
ment of two thousand Men to serve until the
last day of December, unless the Committee of
Safety may judge it necessary to discharge
them sooner, ------ 652
Thanks to the persons who took a quantity of
Gunpowder from the Castle called William
and Mary, in this Province, ... 653
Committee of Safety appointed, ... 653
Committee of Supplies appointed, - - - 653
Committee to sell Gunpowder to the frontier
Towns, ------- 653
22, Muster-Masters appointed, ... - 653
Colonel Fenton required to appear before the
Convention, concerning his Letter to the People
of the County of Grafton, - 654
23, Colonel Nathaniel Folsom appointed to take the
general command of the Troops raised, or to
be raised, in this Government, - 654
Post-Office established at Exeter, ... 654
Nicholas Oilman appointed Treasurer and Re-
ceiver-General of the Colony, ... 654
All Officers and Soldiers in the service to be
taxed as other persons are, - 654
24, The several Towns are recommended to encour-
age Manufactures in general, and that of Fire-
Arms in particular, ----- 654
26, Instructions to the Committee of Safety, - - 655
A Company of not exceeding sixty Men, to be
enlisted in the Northwesterly parts of the
Colony, to act as occasion may require, - 655
Powers conferred on the Committee of Supplies, 655
31, Thanks to the persons who removed sundry
Cannon from the sea-coast to Portsmouth, and
to Doctor Hall Jackson for assisting in the
matter, and bringing the intelligence, - - 656
June 1, Committee of Supplies authorized to import
Military Stores from any place whatever, - 656
Committee of Portsmouth requested to take mea-
sures to prevent the passage of the British
Ships-of-War up to the Town, ... 656
2, An Address to the Inhabitants of the Colony,
agreed to, - - - - "- 657
3, Addresses to the Congress of New- York to the
Congress of Massachusetts, to the Colony of
Connecticut, to the Continmtal Congress, and
to John Sullivan and John Langdon, Dele-
gates, adopted by the Convention, - - 657
5, Oath to be taken by all the ( fficen and Soldiers
of the New-Hampshire Army, now raising
for the defence and security of the Rights and
Labertiss of the American Colonies, - - 60S
CONTENTS.
1775.
Ju.ncT, Obligation of secrecy as to the Proceedings of
the Convention, - - - - - -
Col. Hale retained without Powder or Small-
Arms, but gives great encouragement they
can soon be had from the Southern Colonies, -
Receiver-General authorized to give his notes
of hand for ten thousand and fifty Pounds, -
Bills of Credit of Massachusetts, to have a free
currency in New-Hampshire, - - -
Lenity and forbearance in Creditors towards
Debtors recommended, - -
Convention adjourned to the 27th instant, -
B.
9,
10,
I>X
653
65S
659
660
660
660
659
660
661
836
837
CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, ETC.
itf<zy20,Committee of Anne Arundel County, Maryland.
The application of Mr. Weems, for permission
to purchase an Anchor and Cable of Captain
Carcaud, of the Ship Industry, rejected. No
person can purchase or receive them cpnsis-
tent with the Continental Association, -
20, Field-Officers chosen for Newcastle County,
Delaware, ------
20, Letter from the New- Jersey Assembly to their
Delegates in the Continental Congress, -
20, Petition of James Rivington to the Continental
Congress, -------
20, Town Meeting in Brooklyn, King's County,
New- York. Their reasons for uniting with
the other Counties of the Colony in support of
their rights ; choose Deputies to the Provin-
cial Congress, and pledge themselves to abide
by the directions of the Congress,
20, Letter from Col. Guy Johnson to the Magistrates
and others of Palatine, Canajoharie, and the
upper Districts in Tryon County, New- York;
has had repeated accounts that a body of New-
Englanders were to come to seize him. If
the Indians find their Superintendent disturbed
they will take dreadful revenge, - - -
Letter from Colonel Guy Johnson to the Magis-
trates and Committee of Schenectady, and
Mayor of Albany, - - - - -
20, Act of the Rhode- Island Assembly, prohibiting
the Oath of Office being administered to Go-
vernour Wanton, . - - - -
20, Letter from the Committee of Safety of Massa-
chusetts to General Preble, at Falmouth,
20, Letter to the Massachusetts Congress, from the
Committee appointed to confer with the Con-
gress of New-Hampshire, - - - -
20, Resolutions of the New-Hampshire Congress for
raising and equipping two thousand Men,
20, Letter from the Rev. William Gordon to Joseph
Warren. If the Committee will send him
Hutchinson's loose Letters, he will examine
them, and mark whatever appears to be im-
portant to the Publick, - - - -
Letter to the Oneidas from the Mohawks; writ-
ten at Guy Johnson's, - - - -
21, Resolutions of the Committee of Tryon Coun-
ty, New- York, on the Letter of Colonel Guy
Johnson, of May 20, and on the Letter from
the Mohawks to the Oneidas, ...
21, Letter from the Committee of Palatine District,
Tryon County, to the Albany Committee. —
The communication with Albany is entirely
stopped by Colonel Johnson, who has five hun-
dred men to guard his house, which he has
fortified. There is not fifty pounds of Pow-
der in the District ; they have an open enemy
before them, and treacherous friends at their
backs, -------
21, Letter from Boston to a Gentleman in Philadel-
phia. General Gage has broken his engage-
ment with the People of Boston, after they had
delivered up their Arms, - - - -
21, Letter from General Ward to the Massachusetts
Congress, - - " -
21, Letter from James Sullivan to the Massachusetts
Congress, ------
21, Letter from the Committee of Safety to the Pro-
vincial Congress of Massachusetts,
22, Letter from the Norfolk, Virginia, Committee,
to the Committee for Prince George County,
with an examination of Captain Charles
Alexander, ------ 503
22, Prince William County, Virginia, Committee.
661
661
662
663
664
664
664
664
665
665
666
666
667
667
LXt
1775.
CONTENTS.
LXII
22,
22,
22
22,
22,
22,
22,
22,
23,
22,
22,
22,
22,
22,
22,
Condemn the conduct of Lord Dunmore in
regard to the Powder. Justify Patrick Henry
in demanding satisfaction for it; as, in their
opinion, the violent proceedings of the Troops
in Massachusetts would have justified reprisals
of a much greater magnitude, -
, Buckingham County, Virginia, Committee. Offer
to receive the AVives, Children and Slaves of
such of the Inhabitants of the lower Counties
as may be driven from their habitations ; and
will give them Lands to cultivate, and let their
Cattle feed with their own, ...
Meeting of Inhabitants of Charles County, in
Maryland. Appoint Deputies to the General
Convention of the Province, -
Letter from a Gentleman in Philadelphia to his
Friend in Williamsburgh, Virginia. There
has been a complete revolution in New-York.
The Province is arming; the Governour dare
not call his Assembly to receive Lord North's
Plan ; the Tory leaders have been obliged
to fly, - - - - -
Letter to the New-Hampshire Committee of
Safety, from their Delegates in the Continen-
tal Congress. The Congress have ordered
the Forts of Ticonderoga and Crown Point
to be demolished, and the warlike Stores to be
removed to the south end of Lake George. —
All the Colonies in Congress are firmly united,
and preparing for the worst, ...
New- York Committee. Motion by Mr. Mc-
Dougall for a Committee to confer with the
Deputies of the County of Albany, now in
New- York, whether Albany can furnish Men
to garrison Ticonderoga ; rejected on motion
of Mr. De Lancey, -----
Letter from the New- York Committee to Gov-
ernour Trumbull, enclosing a copy of the Re-
solution of Congress for removing the Military
Stores from Ticonderoga and Crown Point to
the south end of Lake George, - - -
Deputies for Queen's County to the New- York
Provincial Congress chosen by the Freeholders,
Delegates to the Provincial Congress chosen in
King's County, New- York, - . -
Letter from the Corporation of Albany to Colonel
Guy Johnson. If he studies the welfare of
his Country he need not be apprehensive of
any injury to his person or property. There
has been no intention of taking him captive,
or offering him any indignity; these reports
are only propagated to rouse the Indians to
take up arms against the Americans,
Letter from the Albany Committee to Colonel
Guy Johnson, ------
Letter from Benedict Arnold, Commander at Ti-
conderoga, to the Albany Committee. On
the 13th captured the Garrison at St. John's,
and took a King's Sloop of seventy tons; on
his return he met one Colonel Allen, with a
party for St. John's, who were attacked and
defeated by the Regulars. Requests Seamen
and Powder may be sent him, - - -
Narrative of the Excursions and Ravages of the
King's Troops, under the command of Gen-
eral Gage, on the 19th of April, 1775, together
with the Depositions taken by order of Con-
gress to support the truth of it, -
Ravages of the King's Troops, - - .
Damages sustained in Lexington, - . -
Damages sustained in Concord, -
Letter from Samuel Bullard to the Massachusetts
Congress, .....
Letter from the Committee of Supplies to the
Provincial Congress of Massachusetts, com-
plaining of ungenerous treatment from Gen.
Ward, -------
Letter from the Massachusetts Committee of Safe-
ty to the Provincial Congress, with the Letter
from Captain Benedict Arnold, of May 11,
requesting the Congress to take such mea-
sures as they deem necessary, -
Letter from the Massachusetts Congress to Bene-
dict Arnold. As the affairs of the Expedition
began in Connecticut, that Colony has been
written to, to take the whole under their direc-
tion until the advice of the Continental Con-
gress can be had, -
667
667
668
668
670
671
671
838
838
671
672
839
673
675
675
675
- 675
676
- 676
676
C77
677
1775.
M«y23, Letter from the Earl of Dartmouth to Govern-
our Tryon. The King received the Petition
of the New- York Assembly with the most
gracious expressions of regard. The Memo-
rial to the Lords, and Representation to the
Commons contained claims which made it im-
possible for Parliament, consistent with its dig-
nity, to receive them, -
The Crisis, No. 8. On American affairs.
23, Letter from William Hooper, at Philadelphia, to
Samuel Johnston, in North-Carolina. The
strict secrecy which Congress enjoins upon its
Members prevents his communicating any in-
formation of their Proceedings. The most per-
fect harmony subsists among its Members. —
The character of New- York is no longer sus-
picious; they take an active share in the oppo-
sition. Government has sent them the Asia,
Man-of-War, to give spirit to the Tories. —
North-Carolina will probably be called on for
Money, and a Provincial Convention should
be immediately called, .... 680
23, Address of Williamsburgh Volunteers to Peyton
Randolph, 680
Mr. Randolph's Answer, - - - 680
23, Westmoreland County, Virginia, Committee. —
Resolutions on Lord Dunmore's Speech in
Council, on the 2d of May, and his Proclama-
tion of the 3d of May, - - - - 681
- 23, Talbot County, Maryland, Committee of Obser-
vation. Proceedings in relation to the Ship
Johnston, belonging to Mr. Gildart, of Liver-
pool, loaded with Salt and Dry Goods, and
bound to the Chesapeake Bay, - - - 682
23, Letter from Robert Hanna, James Cavet and
Thomas Scott, at Pittsburgh, to Governour
Penn, complaining of their treatment from the
authorities of Virginia, .... 683
23, Letter from /Eneas Mackay and others, at Pitts-
burgh, to Governour Penn. They are treated
by the Officers under Virginia like degraded
beings, not entitled to the common rights of
mankind ; the very name of a Pennsylvanian
is sufficient to render a man odious there, - 684
23, Letter from a Committee of the Assembly of
Connecticut to the Speaker. The New- York
Committee will supply Provisions to the Con-
necticut Forces at Ticonderoga. St. Luke La
Come has sent Belts to all the Northern Tribes
of Indians, to engage them to take up Arms
against the New-England Colonies. It is
supposed the Plebeians of the Canadas will
not willingly engage against the Colonists, but
the Nobles are their bitter enemies, - - 685
23, Letter from the Albany Committee to the Com-
mittee of Palatine District, in Tryon County, 84 1
Speech of the Mohawks to the Magistrates and
Committee of Schenectady, and the Mayor
and Committee of Albany, delivered by Little
Abraham, May 20, - ' - - - - 841
Answer to Little Abraham's Speech, by the Ma-
gistrates and Committee of Albany and Sche-
nectady, May 20, - - - - . - 842
Reply of the Mohawks to the Answer of the
Magistrates, &c, of Albany and Schenectady, 842
23, Letter from Benedict Arnold to the General As-
sembly of Connecticut. Defeat of Colonel
Allen at St. John's; there are four hundred
Regulars there, making preparation to cross
the Lake, with the design of retaking Crown
Point and Ticonderoga, .... 840
23, Letter from Benedict Arnold, Commander-in-
Chief at Crown Point, to Captain Noah Lee,
at Ticonderoga. Preparations of the Regulars
and Indians for retaking Ticonderoga and
Crown Point; requests every man within fifty
miles of Skenesborough may be sent to Ticon-
deroga with Powder and Provisions, -
23, Letter from Ticonderoga to a Gentleman in
Hartford, Connecticut, giving a Journal of
Military operations from the 1 1th to the 19th
of May, -------
841
685
NEW-JERSEY PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
May23, New-Jersey Provincial Congress meets, - 685
List of Deputies who attended, ... 685
24, Hendrick Fisher elected President, Jonathan D.
I.XIII
1773.
CONTENTS.
LXIV
25,
26,
iry, and William Paterson ami
li rick Freungnuyaeo his Assistants,
MaylX. Ministers of the Gospel in Trenton requested to
their daily attendance during the session,
to open tin- House with Prayer, -
Allegiance to the King of Great Britain, in the
rightful exercise of his authority, acknow-
ledged, ------
Appointment of Delegates to the Continental
Congress, hy the Assembly, confirmed, -
Associators of Shrewsbury, in Monmouth Coun-
ty, advised to choose Committee of Observation,
Letter to the Continental Congress. They do
not think it advisable to enter into measures of
consequence, until some, general plan is agreed
on by the Continental Congress ; and arc will-
ing "to adopt and carry out any plan which
they may devise and recommend,
Adopt the Non-Exportation Resolution of the
Continental Congress, . - - -
Letter to the Provincial Congress of New- York.
Inform the New- York Congress of their ap-
plication to the Continental Congress for an
uniform plan of operations, and that a general
system of correspondence between the Colo-
nies should be adopted, - - -
Pierpont Edwards, one of a Committee from
Connecticut, attended with certain propositions
and instructions, which were received, read, and
referred for further consideration,
The Committee sent to the Continental Congress,
with the Letter of the 25th instant, returned
with a written Answer, . - - -
Letter received from New- York Congress, pro-
fessing their readiness to establish a free cor-
respondence, ------
Petition from Robert Murray and John Murray,
professing their sincere contrition for violating
the Continental Association; they are restored
to all the privileges they heretofore enjoyed in
the Province, ------
Association adopted, and ordered to be sent to the
several Counties, . . - - -
June 1, Letter to Pierpont Edwards, in answer to his ap-
plication on the part of Connecticut,
3, Regulations for the government of the Militia of
the Colony, ------
Ordinance for raising a sum of Money for the
use of the Province, ----- 692
29,
30.
31,
687
687
687
688
688
688
689
- 689
- 689
- 689
689
689
- 690
- 690
- 691
1775.
24,
24.
CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, ETC.
May2Z, Letter from Benedict Arnold to the Massachu-
setts Committee of Safety. Has neither Pro-
visions nor Ammunition. Four hundred Re-
gulars are at St. John's, and it is expected they
will make em effort to retake Crown Point and
Ticonderoga, ------ 693
23, Letter from Committee of Safety to the Massa-
chusetts Congress, ----- 694
23, Petition from John Merril to the Massachusetts
Congress, for Powder for the Town of Top-
sham, which is in great danger of an attack
from the Indians, ----- 695
23, Letter from the Selectmen of the Town of Wal-
thnm to Massachusetts Committee of Safety, - 695
23, Committee of Inspection for the Town of Tewks-
bury declare Mr. Timothy Brown ought not
to be treated as an enemy, but as a friend to li-
berty, 695
23, Letter from the New-Hampshire Congress to
their Delegates in the Continental Congress, 695
23, Letter from the Provincial Congress of New-
Hampshire to the Continental Congress. In-
form the Congress of what has been done in
the Colony, and ask advice as to their further
proceeding. They ardently wish a connection
may yet be preserved between Great Britain
and the Colonies, but many conclude that the
voice of God and Nature, since the late hos-
tile conduct of Great Britain, is, that we are
bound to look to our whole political affairs, - 696
23, Letter from the New-Hampshire Congress to the
Massachusetts Congress. The People of New-
Hampshire are heartily engaged in the com-
mon cause, and at all hazards determined to
stand by and support it, relying on Divine
Providence for success, .... 697
24,
24,
24,
24,
24,
25.
25,
25,
25,
25,
25,
25,
25,
25,
25,
25,
Jjetter from Colonel John Fenton to the New-
Hampshire Congress, -
Letter from the Committee from Connecticut to
the New- York Congress, - - - -
Petition of Captain Delaplace to the Assembly of
Connecticut. The Fortress of Ticonderoga,
of which he had the command, was taken on
the 10th instant, by one Ethan Allen, and the
Garrison made prisoners and sent to Hartford.
Requests to know by what authority Allen took
them, and why they are detained,
Address of the Provincial Congress to the Inha-
bitants of Massachusetts-Bay, - - -
Letter from Enoch Freeman to Samuel Freeman,
at Watertown. He cannot attend the Com-
mittee of Safety, but will render any service
in his power in the more exposed eastern parts
of the Province, . . - - -
Enemies to the Rights and Liberties of the
Country, who have aided the plans of a ty-
rannical ruler and an abandoned Ministry,
disarmed at Worcester, Massachusetts, and
ordered not to leave the Town or meet to-
gether, - - - - - - -
No evidence has appeared before the Committee
of Woburn, in Massachusetts, to prove Major
Benjamin Thompson, of Concord, New- Hamp-
shire, an enemy to the liberties of the Coun-
try, -
John Ackerman and others, of New- Hampshire,
charged as inimical to the liberties of Ame-
rica, acquitted and discharged, -
Richmond County, Virginia, Committee. Re-
solutions, disapproving of the Address of the
Council of Virginia to the People,
Lancaster County, Virginia, Committee. Reso-
lutions justifying themselves and their consti-
tuents from the imputations of the Governour
in his Speech to the Council, on the 2d of May,
and their advice and the Proclamation of the
3d of May,
Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Borough of
Norfolk, in Virginia. Resolve to have no
dealings with any person who shall give any
assistance to the enemies of the Confederated
Colonies, -....-
Address to the People of Virginia, - - -
Meeting of the Officers of twenty Militia Com-
panies, at Dover, in Delaware. Approve and
sign an Association, and appoint Field-Officers
for the Upper and Lower Regiments of the
County,
Letter from Arthur St. Clair to Governour Penn.
State of affairs at Pittsburgh; the proceedings
of Connolly, under Lord Dunmore, has thrown
every thing in confusion. An Association has
been formed in the County for the defence of
American Liberty. Connolly has sent Mes-
sengers to the Indians, and it is understood he
is preparing to decamp, ...
Letter from the Provincial Congress of New-
York to the Governour of Connecticut. Or-
ders have been given to remove the Cannon
and Stores taken at Ticonderoga, to the south
end of Lake George. New- York will make
no objections to the sending of Troops from
Connecticut for the protection of Ticonderoga,
Resolution of the Continental Congress directing
the removal of the Stores from Ticonderoga,
Letter from the Provincial Congress of New-
York to the Agents appointed by them to
superintend the removal of the Cannon and
Stores from Ticonderoga, -
Instructions to the Agents, enclosed in the fore-
going Letter, ------
Letter from Colonel Spencer to the Assembly of
Connecticut, - - - - - ' .
Letter from Governour Trumbull to the Massa-
chusetts Congress. As the enterprise against
Ticonderoga was a private undertaking, with-
out any publick authority, it has been thought
proper to take the advice of the Continental
Congress upon the manner of treating it in
future, -------
Letter from General Thomas to the Provincial
Congress. Thanks them for his appointment
as Lieutenant-General of the Massachusetts
Army, -------
698
843
698
699
700
700
701
701
701
- 702
703
703
704
- 705
705
706
1251
1251
706
706
707
LXV
1775.
■May-25, Letter from Joseph Warren to the Massachusetts
Congress, ------ 707
25, Letter from the Committee of Maiden, Massa-
chusetts, to the Committee of Safety, - 708
25, Petition from the Inhabitants of Machias to the
Massachusetts Congress, - - - - 708
25, Letter from the Committee of Correspondence for
Cumberland County to the Massachusetts Con-
gress, ------- 709
25, Letter from Thomas Barnard to the Salem Com-
mittee of Safety. His declaration of attach-
ment to the cause of America, - - - 710
25, Committee of Safety for Salem, Massachusetts.
The declaration of the Rev. Thomas Barnard,
satisfactory ; and he should be hereafter looked
upon as a friend to his Country, - - - 710
26, General Committee for Charlestown, South-
Carolina, prohibit the exportation of Corn from
the Province; and require eight thousand
bushels of Salt, imported in the Brigantine
Hannah, from Liverpool, to be forthwith sent
back, the Salt having been shipped at Liver-
pool as Merchandise, with intent to put the
American Association at defiance, - - 710
2G, Loudoun County, Virginia, Committee. Disap-
prove of Lord Dunmore's seizing the Powder,
and approve of the measures of Patrick Henry
and the Hanover Volunteers, - - - 710
26, Letter from the President of the Continental
Congress to the New- York Congress, enclos-
ing the Resolutions of Congress of May 25,
recommending the establishment of Posts at or
near King's Bridge, and in the Highlands,
and other measures of defence, - 844
26, Letter from the Provincial Congress of New-
Jersey to the Provincial Congress of New-
York. An uniform plan of conduct should
be adopted by the Colonies; and they have
applied for the advice and direction of the Con-
tinental Congress on that subject; they abo
recommend the establishment of a correspon-
dence between the Colonies, ... 845
26, Letter from the New- York Congress to the Mas-
sachusetts Committee of Safety, - - - 711
26, Petition of Samuel Tudor to the New- York
Congress, in behalf of the Independent Artil-
lery Company, for Ammunition, &c., - - 845
26, Letter from the New- York Congress to their
Delegates in the Continental Congress. The
subject of issuing a Paper Currency is now
under consideration, and they wish to consider
it further before the Continental Congress
comes to a final determination on the subject, - 845
26, Letter from the Albany Committee to the New-
York Congress, enclosing a number of papers
relating to the present state of affairs in the
Northern parts of the Province, - - - 712
Extracts of intercepted Letters, enclosed in a Let-
ter from the Albany Committee to the Provin-
cial Congress of New-York, dated May 26, - 846
26, Letter from Ethan Allen to the Assembly of Con-
necticut, - - - - - - -713
24, Letter from Ethan Allen, Colonel of the Green
Mountain Boys, to the several Tribes of In-
dians in Canada, inviting them to join him, - 714
26, Letter from Benedict Arnold to the Massachusetts
Committee of Safety, - - 714
26, Letter from the Massachusetts Congress to the
Congress of New- York. They have directed
Mr. Arnold to send from Ticonderoga such of
the Cannon as can be spared, for the use of the
Army in Massachusetts. General Gage has
broken his faith with the Inhabitants of Bos-
ton; after they had delivered up their Arms he
refused to let them go. New- York may profit
by their example, ----- 715
26, Letter from Joseph Hawley to the Massachusetts
Committee of Safety; requesting copies of
Col. Benedict Arnold's Commission, Instruc-
tions, &c, - - - - - -716
26, Letter from Benjamin Greenleaf to the Massa-
chusetts Congress; requesting to be excused
from serving on the Committee of Safety, - 716
26, Letter from the Massachusetts Committee of
Safety to the Provincial Congress, complaining
of Colonel Jonathan Brewer, of Waltham, - 716
26, L"tter from the Massachusetts Congress to the
New-Hampshire Congress; urging them to
Fourth Sebies. — Vol. ii.
CONTENTS.
LXVI
1775.
send forward with all speed the Troops they
have been raising to serve against the common
enemy, ---.... 717
May26, Letter from Captain Samuel Bullard to the Mas-
sachusetts Committee of Safety, - - - 717
27, Frederick County, Virginia, Committee. No
measures with Administration, which may
affect the Liberties of America, ought to be
agreed to by this Colony without the concur-
rence of the other Colonies, - - - 718
27, Prince George's County, Maryland, Committee.
Thomas Bailly has committed a wilful viola-
tion of the Continental Association, in selling
imported Salt ; and John Baynes has violated
the Continental and Provincial Association by
killing a Lamb, 718
27, Letter from Abraham Lott to the New- York
Congress, requesting their direction whether
he shall comply with an order to supply His
Majesty's Ship Asia with Provisions, - - 846
27, Letter from Governour Trumbull to the New-
York Congress, on the threatened attack from
the Province of Quebeck on Ticonderoga and
Crown Point, ------ 846
27, Letter from the Assembly of Connecticut to the
Massachusetts Congress. They think the
stand should be made at Ticonderoga, and not
at Fort George, as advised by the Continental
Congress, which advice they have desired their
Delegates to request may be reconsidered, - 719
27, Account of the battle at Chelsea, Hog- Island, &c,
in Massachusetts, ----- 720
Representation of the Selectmen of Waltham
to the Massachusetts Committee of Safety;
charging Major Abijah Brown with being un-
friendly to the Country, - - - - 720
27, Letter from the Committee of Safety to the Mas-
sachusetts Congress, referring to them the
complaint against Major Abijah Brown, - 721
Major Brown acquitted of the charges against
him by the Provincial Congress, - - - 721
27, Letter from the Massachusetts Congress to the
Continental Congress. The order to remove
the Cannon from Ticonderoga to this Colony
was given without the slightest intention of
offence to New- York. It is of the utmost
importance that Ticonderoga, or some Post
near it, should be maintained, to interrupt the
water communication between Canada and the
Colonies, - - - - - - - 721
27, Letter from the Massachusetts Congress to the
Assembly of Connecticut. Before any thing
further is done in relation to Ticonderoga the
advice of the Continental Congress should be
had, and also the special advice of New- York,
in whose jurisdiction it is, - - - - 722
27, Letter from the Massachusetts Congress to Col.
Benedict Arnold, at Ticonderoga, - - 723
27, Instructions to Colonel Henshaw, appointed by
the Massachusetts Congress to proceed to the
Governour of Connecticut, to ascertain if pro-
vision is made for securing and maintaining
Ticonderoga, - 723
28, Letter from Colonel Henshaw to Joseph Warren, 723
28, Minutes of Colonel Joseph Henshaw's journey
to Connecticut, - ... 724
27, Letter from the Selectmen of Partridgeficld to the
Massachusetts Congress, - 724
27, Condition of New-Hampshire, as delivered by
their Delegates to the Continental Congress, - 725
27, Recantation of Ebenezer Loverin, of Kensing-
ton, New-Hampshire, - - . . 725
Letter from Gouverneur Morris to Richard
Henry Lee. A favourable sentence in Riving-
ton's case, which has been referred to the Con-
tinental Congress, will be highly agreeable to
most men in New- York, - 726
28, Letter from Richard Henry Lee to Gouverneur
Morris. Happily for the cause of humanity,
the Colonies are now united, and may bid de-
fiance to Tyranny and its infamous abetters.
Mr. Rivington's case, and all others of a like
kind, arc referred to the Colony Conventions
where the offence was committed, - - 726
28, Letterfrom the Massachusetts Committee of Safe-
ty to Colonel Benedict Arnold, ... 726
29, Charles County, Maryland, Committee. John
Baillie and Patrick Graham of Port Tobacco,
IAVII
1775.
CONTENTS.
1775.
LXVI1I
for their infamous conduct in importing Dry-
Uoods in violation of the Continental Associa-
tion, to be held up as eOMnia of American
Liberty, and all persons to leave off dealing
with them, ...--- 727
Ma y29,New- York Committee. All persons having any
( isnaburghs. Havens' Duck, Russia Sheeting,
Ik , are requested not to dispose of them until
the Provincial Congress shall determine on the
expediency of detaining them for their own
use, ...--•- 728
29, Letter from the New- York Congress to the
Provincial Congress of New-Jersey. Nothing
at this critical juncture can tend more to ensure
success than an uniform plan of conduct for
the several Colonies; to this end we ought to
look to the Continental Congress, - - 12G0
29, Letter from the New- York Congress to their
Delegates at Philadelphia. There is no Pow-
der to be purchased in the City, and scarce
any in the whole Colony; and a very con-
siderable number of the Inhabitants are with-
out Arms, 1260
29, Letter from the New- York Congress to the Com-
mittees in the several Counties, requesting that
the Resolution for subscribing the Associa-
tion may be carried into effect without delay,
and that the names of those who refuse to sign
may be returned to the Congress, - - - 1261
29, Letter from the New- York Congress to Gover-
nour Trumbull. New- York not being able
to take command of the Posts of Crown Point
and Ticonderoga, wishes Connecticut to do so, 728
29, Memorandum by Colonel Arnold of the Men
and Military Stores required for the ensuing
Summer, ------- 847
29, Letter from Governour Trumbull to the New-
York Congress. Colonel Hinman with one
thousand Men ordered to Ticonderoga, for the
protection of that Post and Crown Point, - 847
29, Letter from J. Trumbull, Jun., to his Brother,
at Cambridge, 728
29, Committee of New-Milford, in the County of
Litchfield, Connecticut, publish Zachariah
Ferris. Joseph F'erris, Jun., James Osborne,
Daniel Taylor, Nathaniel Taylor and Heze-
kiah Stevens, Jun., all of New-Milford, as
persons to be universally neglected and treated
as incorrigible enemies to the rights of British
America, 730
29, Letter from the Selectmen of New-Haven to
Governour Trumbull, .... 730
29, Letter from Governour Trumbull to the Massa-
chusetts Congress, informing them of the mea-
sures taken for the security of Crown Point
and Ticonderoga, ..... 730
29, Letter from Governour Trumbull to the Albany
Committee. Connecticut has made provision,
with the consent of New-York, for the protec-
tion of Ticonderoga and Crown Point, - - 731
St9, Letter from William Gilleland to the Continen-
tal Congress, on the protection of the North-
ern frontiers of New- York, - - - 73 1
29, Military Companies forming in various parts of
New-Jersey, ...... 732
29, Letter from Ethan Allen to the Continental Con-
gress, showing the injurious effects of aban-
doning Ticonderoga and Crown Point, - 732
29, Letter from Benedict Arnold to the Continental
Congress. Informs them of his participation
in tiie capture of Ticonderoga, and of his
subsequent proceedings there. Remonstrates
against the abandonment of Ticonderoga; five
hundred families to the north of it will be left
to the mercy of the King's Troops and the In-
dians, ----... 734
29, Letter from Benedict Arnold to the Massachu-
setts Committee of Safety. Surprised and
alarmed on learning the order of the Continen-
tal Congress to remove the Stores from Ticon-
deroga to Fort George. Colonel Allen has
entirely given up the command, ... 735
29, Letter from the Massachusetts Congress to Go-
vernour Trumbull, showing the importance
of retaining possession of Ticonderoga, . 735
89, Letter from the Massachusetts Congress to the
New-Hampshire Congress. The measure
taken by the Continental Congress, of aban-
737
738
739
- 739
doning Ticonderoga, will be highly injurious
to the Colonies east of Hudson's River,
Mat/'Z9, Letter from the Committee of Sandwich to the
Massachusetts Congress, giving a statement of
facts relating to the capture of several Vessels
by Capt. Lindsey, of the Falcon, sloop-of-war,
29, Letter from the Committee of Salem to the Mas-
sachusetts Committee of Safety. They are
satisfied of the propriety of Mr. Stephen Hig-
ginson's conduct, in the answers he gave when
on examination before the House of Commons,
29, Letter from Colonel John Stark to the New-
Hampshire Congress, -
29, Letter from the Committee of Portsmouth, New-
Hampshire, to the Committee of Newburyport.
Two Provision Vessels seized in the Harbour
by Captain Barclay, of the King's Ship Scar-
borough, - ...... 740
Particular account of the capture of the Provi-
sion Vessels. Orders given by General Gage
and Admiral Graves, to take every Vessel
with Provisions met with on any station, and
send thern to Boston, for supplies for the Army
and Navy, ...... 740
Address to General Gage, - - - - 74 1
MASSACHUSETTS COMMITTEE OF SAFETV.
Apr. 5, Committee of Safety, meets at Concord, - - 741
Committee of Supplies to furnish an exact ac-
count of all Provisions and Stores, - - 741
14, Cannon in Concord to be disposed of immediate-
ly within the Town, - - - - - 741
Powder at Leicester to be removed to Concord, - 741
Colonel Gardner chosen one of the Committee
of Safety, by the Provincial Congress, in place
of Deacon Fisher, resigned, - - - 741
17, Application to be made to certain persons to take
command of Artillery Companies, - - 742
Colonel Barret requested to raise an Artillery
Company, ...... 742
Pay of Artillery Companies established, - - 743
Four Cannon sent to Groton to Colonel Prescott, 743
Two brass Mortars sent to Acton, - - - 743
Committee of Safety and Committee of Supplies
adjourn to Menotomy, .... 743
18, Four brass Cannon to be under the care of the
Boston Company and Captain Robinson, - 743
Letter to Captain Timothy Bigelow, - - 743
All the Ammunition of the Province to be de-
posited in nine different Towns, - - - 743
Provisions to be removed from Concord to Sud-
bury, 743
Six Companies of Matrosses, - - - - 743
Disposition to made of the Cannon, Powder, and
Military Stores of all kinds, ... 743
Letter to Colonel Barret, countermanding the
order to remove the Powder from Leicester to
Concord, ------- 743
21, Form of Enlistment adopted, .... 744
Eight thousand effective Men to be enlisted, to
serve for seven months, .... 744
Colonel Gridley and his son, and David Mason,
required to attend the Committee immediately, 745
Field-Pieces to be prepared for action imme-
diately, 745
Captain Dexter to conceal the Cannon in his
charge, 745
General Officers required to make a Return of
such Officers and Soldiers as are engaged to
serve in the Massachusetts Army, and to give
in a List of such as they deem qualified for
Field-Oflicers, 745
22, Military Stores to be removed from the Seaport
Towns, ----... 745
Intrenching Tools to be inspected and repaired, 745
24, Field-Offlcers of Minute-Men at Cambridge re-
quired to attend the Committee immediately, 745
Inhabitants of Chelsea and Maiden forbidden to
fire upon the Seamen under Admiral Graves, 745
25, The Cannon at Marlborough to be brought to
Waltham and mounted, .... 745
Col. Freeman, of Sandwich, to secure the Whale
Boats at Cape Cod, 745
Beating Orders for enlistment of persons belong-
ing to New-Hampshire, .... 745
Provincial Congress requested to reduce the Com-
panies to fifty-nine Men each, - . . 745
746
746
746
746
746
746
746
746
746
747
747
747
747
747
747
747
1775.
lxix CONTENTS.
1775.
A/)r.25,Escort to the Members of Continental Congress,
26, General Preble at Falmouth, requested to attend
at Cambridge, ------
Fifteen of the Prisoners at Concord removed to
Worcester Jail, -
Provincial Congress requested to make an Es-
tablishment for Armourers, -
Enlistments in the Army encouraged,
Order of the 24th instant, forbidding the Inhabi-
tants of Chelsea and Maiden to fire on the
Seamen under command of Admiral Graves,
rescinded, ------
Inhabitants of Chelsea and Maiden authorized
to defend themselves, as their judgment may
direct, -------
Warrant for supplying an Express,
Certificate to Dr. Bond, - - - -
27, Instructions to Captain Derby, intrusted with
intelligence to the Agent in England, -
Letters sent to Rhode- Island and Connecticut, -
Colonel Glover to prevent intelligence being sent
to the Lively, Ship-of-War, at Marblehead, -
28, Post-Riders, between the Army and Worcester,
recommended, ------
General Gage's Precepts for calling an Assem-
bly not to be noticed, - - - - -
None living in New- York, or any other Go-
vernment, to be enlisted for the service of this
Province, ------
Cannon at Medford to be brought to Cambridge,
Inhabitants of Boston yesterday surrendered their
Fire-Arms, as they had agreed to do, with
General Gage, -
Committee to take the state of Boston into consi-
deration, -------
29, Committee to take into consideration the removal
of the Inhabitants from Boston, - - -
Neighbouring Towns required to send one-half
of their Militia to Cambridge and Roxbury, -
Expresses to press as many Horses as they have
occasion for, ------
General Ward to apply to the Commissary for
such Stores as he may have occasion for,
Dr. Foster authorized to remove the sick and
wounded to the Hospital, - - - -
Captain Benedict Arnold, with a Company, ar-
rived from Connecticut, - - -
General Thomas ordered to seize Governour
Hutchinson's Papers, - - - -
30, Captain Benedict Arnold reports the quantity of
Cannon at Ticonderoga, and that the Fortress
is in a ruinous condition, - - - -
Province Arms at Worcester or Concord to be
brought to Cambridge, - - - -
Committee to form a plan for the liberation of
the Inhabitants of Boston, - - - -
Orders to Colonel Gerrish, - - - -
John Pierce Palmer appointed Quartermaster-
Genera) of the Army, -
Inhabitants of the Colony desirous of removing
into Boston, permitted to do so, -
May 1, Paper Currencies of Connecticut and Rhode-Is-
land to pass in Massachusetts, - - -
Rev. Mr. Gordon to have free access to the Pri-
soners, -------
2, Committee on the proposal of Colonel Arnold,
for an attempt on Ticonderoga, - - -
Recantations from Marblehead received, -
* Money, &c, to be delivered to Captain Arnold,
for the use of the Colony, upon a certain ser-
vice, approved of by the Council of War,
Colonel Arnold appointed to a secret service, au-
thorized to appoint certain Officers,
Ten Horses to be procured for Colonel Arnold,
to be employed on a special service,
3, Orders to Colonel Arnold, relative to au attempt
upon Ticonderoga, - - - - -
4, The publick good of the Colony requires that Go-
vernment in full form ought to be taken up
immediately, - - - - - - 751
Letter to the Governour of Connecticut, request-
ing him to forward three or four thousand
Troops, - - 751
Committee to confer with the Council of War, on
the arrival of re-enforcements at Boston, - 752
7, To prevent the appointment of Surgeons who may
not be agreeable to the Officers and Soldiers,
Colonels are to nominate them, ... 752
747
747
747
747
748
748
748
748
748
748
749
749
749
749
749
749
750
750
750
750
750
750
751
LXX
Mai/7, Committee for Chelsea to prevent Provisions from
being carried into Boston, - - - - 753
9, Recommend a new Commission for the Committee
of Safety, 753
Council of War recommend a re-enforcement of
two thousand Men to be brought into Camp
the ensuing night, ----- 753
A Court of Inquiry proposed for the trial of ac-
cused persons, ------ 753
10, Many Batteaus, Whale Boats, and others, will
very soon be wanted on Charles River, and
Carpenters are ordered to be engaged to make
them, 753
Letter to the Colonels of the Army, informing a
blow is meditated against the enemy, and or-
dering them to repair forthwith to Cambridge, 754
Letter to the Provincial Congress, enclosing the
foregoing orders, ----- 754
William Goodwin empowered to take posses-
sion of a number of Boats in Charlestown,
and to press Teams to take the Boats to Cam-
bridge, 754
Mr. Watson empowered to remove to Cambridge
the Boats now in Menotomy River, - - 754
General Gage intends soon to come out of Bos-
ton, (Note,) 754
11, Provincial Congress requested to establish a Court
of Inquiry for the trial of suspected persons, - 754
12, Works recommended to be erected to prevent the
enemy from passing into the country from
Boston, - - - - - - -755
The determination of this matter rests with the
Council of War, ----- 755
Seizure of Tories, and detaining them until Gen.
Gage complies with his engagement made with
the Inhabitants of Boston, recommended, - 755
Committee adjourns to Congress, upon matters of
great importance, ----- 755
14, Andrew Craigie empowered to impress beds, bed-
ding, and other necessaries for the sick, - 756
Josiah Martin having promised, with his life and
fortune, to stand for the defence of his Country,
is to be received into the favour of his country-
men, --..-.. 756
Live Stock to be taken from Hog-Island, Nod- •
die-Island and Snake- Island, ... 757
Persons escaping from Boston, to be received and
protected, ------- 757
15, Account of Ordnance and Military Stores, - 757
Lady Frankland permitted to pass into Boston,
with certain goods and articles for her voyage, 757
Note from Lady Frankland to Dr. Warren.' —
(Note,) 757
Note from Lady Frankland to the Committee of
Safety, (Note,) 757
Letters from New- York, relative to the establish-
ing a Post-Office, referred to the Provincial
Congress, ------ 757
Fifty-four Whale Boats to be provided for the
use of the Colony, ----- 759
Establishment for the Companies of Matrosses, - 759
Ten Swivels to be provided for the use of the
Army, 760
Committee to repair to the Provincial Congress,
and request that the duty of the Committee of
Safety be precisely stated, - - - . 760
General Gage not having kept his agreement
with the Inhabitants of Boston, it is recom-
mended to the Provincial Congress to rescind
their Resolution of the 30th of April, founded
on that agreement, ----- 760
Students of Harvard College, who had been
furnished with Arms, are requested to return
them, 761
Female friends to America requested to send such
quantities of Rags as they can spare for the
Surgeons of the Massachusetts Forces, - 761
19, Capt. John Lane furnished with enlisting papers
for raising a Company of Indians at the East-
ward, 761
Letter to the several Colonels, requesting imme-
diate Returns, - - - - - - 761
A Horse and Sulkey furnished Dr. Church, for
his journey to Philadelphia, ... 751
20, No Slave to be admitted into the Army, - - 762
22, Post-Riders discharged, .... 753
23, Congress requested to take measures to secure the
Stock on the Islands and Sea- Coasts, - - 762
16,
17,
LXXI
J/uy23,Thirty thousand Men considered necessary for the
ice of the lives, liberty and property of
\ui.ricans; and not more than twenty-four
thousand having been raised by the s>-v.r;il
n.s, the matter is laid before the Con-
CONTENTS.
LXXII
MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
il/ir.22,Letter from Mr. Quincy to Mr. Adams, read in
the Congress, and sent to Dr. Warren,
Committee to take Depositions of the transactions
of the Troops under General Gage, in their
route to and from Concord, on Wednesday last,
to be sent to England, ....
23, An Army of thirty thousand Men necessary for
the defence of the Colony, -
Thirteen thousand six hundred Men to be imme-
diately raised in this Province, -
Committee to bring in a plan for the establish-
ment of the Army, - - -
Committees to New- Hampshire, Connecticut and
Rhode- Island, to request their concurrence in
raising the Army, -
Doctor Warren elected President, -
Establishment of the Army, - - - -
Committees of the several Towns requested to
furnish enlisted Men with Blankets,
24, Committee of Safety or Committee of Supplies
empowered to impress Horses or Teams,
Committee to attend the Committee of Safety, to
name suitable persons for Officers in the Army
now raising, ------
Letters from Hartford read and forwarded to the
Committee of Safety at Cambridge,
25, Motion to ascertain the number of delinquent
Towns and Districts rejected,
Proceedings with the Indian Nations to be kept
secret. Other matters before the Congress to
be left to the discretion of each Member,
Companies in each Regiment to be reduced from
one hundred Men tq fifty-nine Men each, and
each Regiment to ten Companies,
26, Committee to draught a Letter to the Agent in
Great Britain, ------
William Burbeck appointed an Engineer of the
Forces now raising in this Colony for the de-
fence of the rights and liberties or the Ameri-
can Continent, ------
Richard Gridley appointed Chief Engineer,
Committee to consider the state of the Eastern
parts of the Province, -
Committee of Supplies directed to procure Pow-
der and Ball for the Colony, and to furnish
what can be spared to the Eastern Towns, -
Marblehead, Salem and Newburyport required
to sell four half-barrels of Powder each, to
the Towns of York, Welles, Biddeford and
Boothbay, -
27, Committee to inquire what provision is made for
a Post to ride from the Army to Worcester ;
and also to procure a Writ issued by General
Gage for calling an Assembly in May next, -
Motion by Mr. Gerry that the Committees of the
Seaport Towns in the County of Essex be ad-
vised to have all the effects of the Inhabitants
removed as soon as possible,
Committee to get an exact account of the Men
killed and wounded and murdered in the late
scene, on the I'.Uh instant, -
Committee to make true copies of the Deposi-
tions, and have them signed and authenticated,
28, Committee to confer with the Gentlemen from
New- Hampshire, and to lay before them the
Laden )tut received from New- York, dated
April 19,
762
gress, - - - - ■ • "
24, Immediate removal of the Sheep and Hay from
Noddle Island recommended, - - -
29, Committee of Cohasset requested to restore to Mr.
Temple his Property, and they and all others
to treat him as a friend to this Country and to
the rights of all America, - - - -
Rev. Mr Cordon of Koxbury authorized to re-
ceive from Capt. McLane a volume of copies
of Governour Hutchinson's Letters,
30, Elisha Littrnwell directed to remove from Chel-
sea to Cambridge the Cannon and Stores of a
Schooner burned by our People, - - 764
- 763
764
764
763
765
765
- 765
765
765
766
766
766
766
766
767
- 767
767
- 767
768
768
768
769
769
- 769
770
- 770
770
771
771
771
771
- 772
772
772
772
772
- 772
772
- 772
1775.
Apr.28, Letter to the Convention of New- Hampshire, -
Committee to consult with the Committee from
New-Hampshire respecting the New-Hamp-
shire Forces, now at Cambridge,
Committee to consider a Letter from Stephen
Hopkins, dated Providence, April 27,
Committee to consider the expediency of estab-
lishing Post-Riders between the Massachusetts
Forces and the Town of Worcester, -
Committee to consider the propriety of advising
the Towns not to notice the Precepts issued
by General Gage for calling a General As-
sembly, - - - - - -
Committee to prepare the form of a Commission
for the Officers of the Army now forming in
this Province, ------
Committee to prepare Rules for the government
of the House, ------
Committee to ascertain what has taken place for
the release of our friends in Boston,
Committee to bring in a Resolve empowering the
Committee of Supplies to procure Provisions
and Military Stores for the Army now form-
ing in this Colony, - - -
29, Papers presented, containing the Proceedings of
the Town of Boston with General Gage,
Committee of Safety requested to report on the
Papers, -------
Rules for the government of the Congress
adopted, -------
Committee of Supplies empowered to purchase
every kind of Military Stores, Provisions and
all other Supplies, for the use of the Forces of
this Colony, ------
Pay of Field-Officers reduced, -
County Committees to report, on the fourth Wed-
nesday in May, the conduct of the Towns
and Districts with respect to their having exe-
cuted the Continental and Provincial measures
for the preservation of this Country from
slavery, - - - - -
Committee to consider on some method for sup-
plying the Treasury, -
Committee to confer with Jos. Brown, of Rhode-
Island, -------
Letter from New- York, dated April 24, recom-
mending the intercepting of the Despatches to
General Gage, -----
30, State and situation of the Cannon and Military
Stores, 775
Express sent to the Committee of Safety, to pro-
cure their result with respect to moving out
the Inhabitants of Boston,
Letter to the Committee of Safety, sent by the
Express, --....
Committee to inquire into the conduct of the
several Towns relative to Prisoners of War,
Resolve from the Committee of Safety, respecting
the liberation of the Inhabitants of Boston, ac-
cepted, and ordered to be sent to the Selectmen
of Boston, to be communicated to Gen. Gage,
May 1, Committee to examine the Papers of the Con-
gress, and report what may be published,
Letter from Major Hawley, respecting the Bearer
of Despatches for General Gage ; referred to
Committee of Safety, -
Motion that William Read be admitted to state
the sufferings he met with on the 19th April,
rejected. Committee to confer with him,
Form of Commission for Colony Officers,
Pass for the use of Members of Congress,
Resolutions for the removal of the Poor from
Boston, 777
Report of Committee on application of William
Read, - - - . - . . 779
2, Joseph Warren chosen President, ... 779
Committee on securing the Records of the Coun-
ties, ---.... 779
Letter to the Delegates from this Colony in Con-
necticut, ...... 780
Committee to forward to the Continental Con-
gress copies of the Depositions, and Address to
the Inhabitants of Great Britain, and Letter to
Mr. Franklin, lately sent to Great Britain, - 781
Effects of persons removing into Boston may be
sent there, ------ 781
Committee on liberating the persons taken Pri-
soners on the 19th of April, - - 782
772
773
773
774
- 774
774
775
775
- 775
775
776
776
776
776
777
777
777
i-xxm
1775.
May 3, Committee of Supplies directed to furnish Colonel
Benedict Arnold ten Horses, and Powder,
Lead and Flints, 782
Committee to revise the Commission of the Com-
mittee of Supplies, ..... 782
Receiver-General directed to borrow One Hun-
dred Thousand Pounds, - 782
Horses and Carriages of Members of this Con-
gress excepted from impressment, - - 783
Committee to procure a Copperplate for printing
the Colony Notes, 783
Rev. Mr. Gordon chosen Chaplain to the Con-
gress during their session in Watertown, - 783
Report of Committee on liberating Prisoners
taken by Gen. Gage, the 19th of April, (Note,) 784
Resolve on the same subject, ... - 784
4, Pay to the Soldiers advanced, ... 784
Committee to hold a Conference with the Dele-
gates from Connecticut to General Gage, - 785
Their Report, 785
Committee to prepare a Letter to the Assembly
of Connecticut, on their application to General
Gage, 785
5, Resolution of April 1, recommending the Writs
of General Gage, for electing Members of an
Assembly, should be obeyed, reconsidered and
rescinded, and declare that no obedience ought
in future to be paid to his Writs, Proclamations,
or any other of his doings, ... 786
Letter to the Assembly of Connecticut, - - 786
Letter to General Ward, on the obstruction to the
liberation of the Inhabitants of Boston, - 787
New Provincial Congress to be elected, to meet
on the 31st of May, 788
Resolution from the Committee of Safety, that
Government in full form ought to be taken up,
to be considered on the 9th instant, - - 788
6, Committee of Safety authorized to procure Pow-
der from any Colony on the Continent, - 789
Committee to consider the Letter received yester-
day from the Speaker of the Assembly of Con-
necticut, - 789
Committee of Supplies authorized to import Mili-
tary Stores from such place and in such quan-
tities as they may judge proper, ... 789
Committee to ascertain what number of Province
Arms there are in the Province, - 790
Establishment for the Train, .... 790
7, Committee of Supplies authorized to procure
Fire-Arms and Bayonets from any Colony on
the Continent, - 790
8, Oath to be administered to the Officers and Pri-
vate Soldiers of the Army now raising in this
Colony, - - - ' - - - - 791
Letter to the Selectmen of Hopkinton, - - 79 1
Letter from Committee of Portsmouth, of the 6th
instant, 792
Letter from General Ward, .... 792
Answer to the Letter from Portsmouth, - - 792
Committees of Correspondence of the several
Towns to inquire into the principles and con-
duct of suspected persons, and to cause all to
be disarmed who are found unfriendly to the
rights and liberties of America, ... 793
Letter to General Ward, .... 794
Consideration of the expediency of assuming Go-
vernment postponed to Friday, the 12th inst, - 794
9, Committee to prepare a spirited application to
General Gage, respecting his treatment of the
Inhabitants of Boston, .... 795
Committee to consider the expediency of establish-
ing Post-Offices and Post-Riders, - - 795
Resolutions on the false account of the late Excur-
sion of the King's Troops, .... 795
Resolution for supplying those Soldiers with
Fire-Arms who are not equipped therewith, • 796
Twenty Armourers to be appointed by the Com-
mittee of Safety, to repair the Arms of the Sol-
diers of the Massachusetts Army, - - 796
10, Letter to General Gage, on his violation of the
Agreement for the removal of the Inhabitants
of Boston, - 798
Report on the Complaint made against Samuel
1 ':iin and William Campbell, by the Selectmen
of Worcester, - - - " - - - 799
Committee to consider the Applications from the
Eastern parts of the Province, for Arms and
Ammunition, .---.* 799
CONTENTS.
LXXIV
1775.
May[ 1, Resolutions providing for a present supply of
Powder to the most exposed of the Eastern
Towns, 799
Committee to write a Letter to New- York, ad-
vising them of the sailing of two Men-of-War
from Boston, 800
12, Committee to consider the expediency of raising
a Company or two of Indians, - 800
All persons required to give Rev. Mr. Gordon
free access to the Prisoners, ... 800
Committee to write to the Continental Congress,
for obtaining their recommendation for this
Colony to take up and exercise Civil Govern-
ment, - - - - - - -801
General Ward directed to order four respectable
Officers to escort the President to Colonel
Quincy, at Braintree, to-morrow morning, - 801
Committee to estimate the damages done at Con-
cord, Lexington, and Cambridge, by the King's
Troops, on the 19th of April, - - - 80 1
Establishment for the Companies of Matrosses, - 801
13, Committee to take a third set of Depositions rela-
tive to the Battle of Lexington, ... 802
Post-Roads established, 802
Post-Masters appointed, 803
Rates of Postage, 803
15, Committee to attend the Provincial Congress of
New-Hampshire, 803
Committee to prepare the Application to the Con-
tinental Congress directed to desire the Con-
gress to take charge of directing and regulating
the American Forces, .... 804
Committee to examine the Letters of Governour
Hutchinson, lately discovered, and report such
Letters and Extracts as they think it will be
proper to publish, ..... 804
Persons prohibited from removing their Goods
and Effects out of the Colony, without per-
mission of the Committee of Correspondence of
the Town they belong to, - - - - 804
Committee of Falmouth authorized to send an
Embassy to Canada, to ascertain the designs
and manoeuvres of the Inhabitants of that Co-
lony, 804
Report of Committee to authorize the establish-
ment of a Court of Inquiry, to hear and decide
on complaints against any person for treason
against the Constitution of their Country, sub-
mitted, debated, and rejected, ... 805
16, Committee to consider the verbal information of
the capture of three Vessels, by a King's Cut-
ter, at Dartmouth, ..... 806
Dr. Church appointed to go to the Continental
Congress, with the application from this Con-
gress, 806
Instructions to the Delegates to the New-Hamp-
shire Congress, ..... 806
Officers of the Artillery allowed to enlist Men
from the other Regiments, ... - 807
Committee to consider what should be done rela-
tive to the Prisoners in Boston, and the Inhabi-
tants who are there kept in duresse, - - 807
17, Letter from Edward Mott, dated May 1 1, giving
an account of the capture of Ticonderoga, and
a Letter from Ethan Allen, received and read, 807
Colonel Easton, from Ticonderoga, introduced to
the House, and each Member authorized to ask
him any questions, .... - 807
Form of Oath to be taken by the General Offi-
cers, 808
Letter to Assembly of Connecticut, proposing to
have the Cannon and Stores taken at Ticon-
deroga forwarded to the Army at Cambridge, 808
Colonel Allen to remain in possession of Ticon«
derogaanditsdependencies.that Fortress having
surrendered to him and others, « 808
Connecticut requested to garrison and maintain
Ticonderoga, until the advice of the Continen-
tal Congress can be had, .... 809
Committee to revise the Commission of the Com-
mittee of Safety, ..... 809
18, Officers of the Army of this Colony disqualified
from being Members of the Provincial Con-
gress, ....... 809
Committee of Safety elected, .... 810
Report of Committee on the application of Lady
Frankland, - - - - - -810
Mr. Craft sent for ; the allegations against him
IAXV
1775.
CONTENTS.
LXXVI
20,
22,
1; ho makes his defence, and is politely
admonished, -
At«yl8,Lady Frankland permitted to pan into Boston,
19, Colonel Bond, with a guard, ordered to escort
Lady Frankland to Boston, -
Letter from the Committee of < Jomanondanee of
oecticui read, respecting the taking of Ti-
conderoga, ------
Answer to this L iter rejwrted by Mr. Gerry, and
ptedj -------
Commission for the Committee of Safety,
Commission to General Waul, as General and
Commander-in-Chief of all the Forces raised
by the Congress of the Colony of Massachu-
setts, for the defence of this snathe other Ame-
rican < 'clonics, - - - - - -
Committee to get the Depositions and Narrative
of the late Excursion of the King's Troops to
Concord printed, - - - - -
Repot t of the Committee appointed to consider
the case of the Prisoners in Boston, and the
Inhabitants there kept in duresse,
Committee to consider what measures are proper
to be taken for organizing the Massachusetts
Army in the most effectual and ready manner,
Receiver-General authorized to issue Notes to the
amount of Twenty-Six Thousand Pounds, for
advance pay to the Massachusetts Army,
Report of the Committee on the practicability of
providing Chaplains for Massachusetts Army.
The President desired to deliver to General Ward
his Commission as General and Commander'
in-Chief of the Massachusetts Forces, -
Report of Committee on Petition of a number
of the Inhabitants of Dear- Island, in Lincoln
County, -------
Report of Committee appointed to consider what
should be done with the Estates of persons un-
friendly to the Country, - - -
Letter from General Ward, requesting a supply
of Ordnance, Arms and Ammunition,
Letter to Coloni I Arnold, signed and ordered to
be forwarded, ------
Report of Committee on the Depredations of the
British Troops on the Islands and Sea-Coasts;
read, and referred to the next Provincial Con-
gress, - - - - - _ -
Report of Committee appointed to consider what
further measures are necessary to be taken
for the organization of the Army,
Ebenezer Cutler permitted to go into Boston,
without his effects, -
Committee to effect the removal of the Poor of
the Town of Boston, ....
Quantity of Powder that may be spared for the
publick service from the stocks of the several
Towns, -.---..
Report of the Committee on the subject of ab-
sconding Soldiers, -
Letter to the New- York Provincial Congress, -
Able-bodied Men, without Arms, to be received
and mustered in the Army,
Report of Committee on the complaint of the
Committee of Safety against Mr. Jonathan
Brewer, -------
Officers in Colonel Read's Regiment,
Officers in General Ward's Regiment,
Officers in Colonel Learned's Regiment,
Officers in Colonel Walker's Regiment, -
Officers in Colonel Scamtnons's Regiment,
Officers in Colonel Prescott's Regiment, -
Officers in Colonel Cotton's Regiment,
Officers in Colonel Frye's Regiment,
Officers in Colonel Patterson's Regiment
rs in ( ieueral Thomas's Regiment -
Officers in Colonel Bridge's Regiment ' -
- in Colonel Mansfield's Regiment,
Officers in Colonel 1 lauielsou's Regimeut,
Officers in Colonel Fellows's Regiment, -
June 2, Officers in Colonel ( lardoer'e Regiment, -
3, Officers in Colonel Whitcomb'i Regiment,
Officers in Coloni I Doolittle's Regiment, -
Officers in Colonel Woodbridge's Regiment
Officers in Colonel Glover's Regiment, - ' .
Officers in CoL Jonathan Brewer's Regimenl -
Officers in Colonel l>lvjj Brewer's Regiment, -
Officers in Colonel Gerrish'e Regiment, -
Officers in Colonel Mows Little's Regiment -
23,
24,
25,
26,
18.
23.
23.
23,
23,
25.
26,
26,
27,
27,
27,
27,
27,
31.
12.
16,
16.
17,
17,
22,
26.
810
811
811
811
811
812
813
813
814
815
815
815
- 816
816
- 817
817
817
818
- 818
819
819
820
821
821
- 822
822
823
823
823
823
824
824
824
825
825
825
826
826
826
826
827
827
828
828
828
829
829
830
830
CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, ETC.
Mai/30, Note from the Secretary of State's Office, pub-
lished in the London Gazette, discrediting the
report of a Skirmish between some of the Peo-
ple in Massachusetts-Bay and a Detachment of
His Majesty's Troops, - - - -
Remarks on this Official paragraph, (Note,)
30, Letter from Arthur Lee, contradicting the state-
ment in the London Gazette, and informing
those who wish to see the original affidavits
which confirm the account, that they are depo-
sited with the Lord Mayor of London, for in-
spection, -------
30, Letter from Colonel James Easton to the Provin-
cial Congress, Committee of Safety, and Coun-
cil of War, in Cambridge and Watertown.
The necessity of protecting Ticonderoga ; Con-
necticut will furnish Men for its defence, but
expects Massachusetts to organize and pay
them. Offers to take the command of a Regi-
ment, and recommends other persons for ap-
pointments, -
30, Letter to the New- York Congress, from their
Delegates in the Continental Congress. The
proceedings of the Provincial Congress ap-
proved by the Continental Congress ; they are
requested to come to a speedy determination
on the Paper Currency. Further suggestions
for their consideration, -
30, Letter from the New- York Congress to their
Delegates in the Continental Congress, enclos-
ing a Report on Paper Currency : it is sent to
show their opinion of what ought to be done,
and not to be laid before the Continental Con-
gress, -------
30, Letter from Governour Trumbull to the Albany
Committee. One thousand Men ordered to
proceed to Ticonderoga and Crown Point; ex-
pects the Provincial Congress of New- York
will forward Provisions, -
30, Letter from Jonathan Parsons, Jun., at St John's,
Newfoundland, to the New- York Committee
of Safety. Hatred of the People there towards
the Americans, for their opposition to the Bri-
tish Government ; yet, if they are short of
Provisions, they will probably petition the
Continental Congress for a supply of Bread
and Flour, ------
30, Declaration of John Nutting and others, of their
reasons for signing the Address to Governour
Hutchinson, declared satisfactory by the Com-
mittee of Salem, -
30, Letter from Joshua Upham to the Committee of
Correspondence for the Town of Brownfield:
explanation of his conduct; voted satisfactory
by the Committee, - - - - -
30, Letter from the Committee of Safety of Massachu-
setts to the Town of Sudbury. Have examin-
ed and dismissed Ezra Taylor, -
30 Letter from the Selectmen of Hopkinton to the
Massachusetts Congress, - - - -
29, Letter from General Ward to the Committee for
Salem. Expects an attack this night from
the British Forces in Boston, -
31, Letter from London to a Gentleman in Philadel-
phia. Account of the defeat of the British
Troops on the 19th of April has been receiv-
ed. The intelligence has panick-struck the
Administration and their Tory dependants,
who have daily denounced the Americans as
cowards, -------
31, Committee for Mecklenburgh County, North-
Carolina. Resolutions declaring all Laws and
Commissions derived from the authority of the
King or Parliament null and void, and the
Civil Constitutions of the Colonies wholly sus-
pended, and that no Legislative or Executive
power exists in the Colonies, other than the
Provincial Congresses, under the direction of
the Continental Congress, - - - -
20, The Declaration of Independence by the Citizens
of Mecklenburgh County, North-Carolina, on
the twentieth day of May, 177.3, with the ac-
companying Documents, published by the Go-
vernour, under the authority and direction of
the General Assembly of North-Carolina,
(Note,)
848
848
849
849
- 850
1264
850
851
852
852
853
853
854
854
855
L.XXV1I
1775.
Ma i/3l
CONTENTS.
LXXVIII
.Association recommended by the Committee of
Chester County, Pennsylvania, to the People
of the County, .... - 859
31, Letter addressed to Lord Sandwich, on his charge
of Cowardice against the Americans, - - 861
31, Letter from Col. George Washington to George
William Fairfax, in England, with an acount
of the Engagement between the Ministerial
Troops and the People of Massachusetts-Bay, 865
31, Letter from Col. Henshaw to Benedict Arnold.
Connecticut has ordered Colonel Hininan to
take command at Ticonderoga, with one thou-
sand Men, and to repair and defend that Post, 724
31, Worcester, Massachusetts, Convention, appoint a
Committee to draw up a Remonstrance to the
Provincial Congress, against persons having
seats there who do not vote away their own
money for publick purposes, in common with
others; and also to consider the right of per-
sons inimical to the Country to vote in Town-
Meetings, ------ 865
31, Representation of Robert Temple to the Massa-
chusetts Committee of Safety, ... 866
31, Letter from Stephen Nye, at Sandwich, to Na-
thaniel Freeman. Relation of Captain Lind-
sey;s proceedings at the Islands, - - 866
31, Letter from the Selectmen of the Town of Scar-
borough to the Massachusetts Congress. Their
reasons for not choosing a Representative, - 867
31, Letter from the Selectmen of Edgartown to the
Massachusetts Congress. They are firmly
attached to the cause of their Country, yet
the peculiar circumstances in which they are
placed renders it inexpedient for them to elect
a Member to the Congress, ... 867
31, Petition of the Inhabitants of Berwick to the
Massachusetts Congress. The Towns along
the sea-coast are exposed to the ravages of the
enemy, and for want of Arms and Ammuni-
tion, the People cannot defend their Wives and
Children against the King's Troops: they,
therefore, pray for assistance, - 868
31, Letter from the Selectmen of Bedford to the Mas-
sachusetts Congress. The Town 4)38 declined
to send a Member to the Congress, but will
freely comply with all their wise and salutary
measures, ------ 868
31, Letter from the New- Hampshire Congress to
General Ward, requesting Colonel Stark may
be sent to them, ----- 868
31^ Letter from the New-Hampshire Congress to
Colonel Stark, requesting him to repair to
Exeter without loss of time, ... 868
31, Letter from the Portsmouth, New-Hampshire,
Committee, to the Provincial Congress, sug-
gesting measures of defence against an expect-
ed attempt to burn the Town by a British Ship-
of-War, 868
31, Letter from Meshech Weare to the New- Hamp-
shire Congress. Recommending measures of
defence on the Sea-Coast, - - - - 869
31, Captain Winborn Adams to the New- Hampshire
Congress. Waits for the direction of the Con-
gress before he complies with a request from
Portsmouth, to go there and assist in destroy-
ing the Men-of-War in the Harbour, - 869
31, Letter to the New-Hampshire Congress, from
Charles Johnston, Clerk to the Committee
of the Northern Regiment, in the County of
Grafton. Preparations in Canada for invading
the Provinces. Four or five hundred Indians
collected, and Governour Carleton enlisting
Men in Canada. The Inhabitants are in want
of Ammunition, Arms, and assistance, - - 869
June 1, Letter from London to a Gentleman in Water-
town. The Ministry are in great consterna-
tion since the intelligence by Captain Derby.
They wait for General Gage's Despatches, to
determine what they will do, ... 870
1, Letter from London to a Gentleman in New-
York. State of publick opinion in England
on the arrival of the news of the defeat and
retreat of the Detachments under Lord Percy
and Colonel Smith, 870
1, Letter from W. Jones, at Savannah, to the Com-
mittee of Donations, Boston. The unhappy
divisions in Georgia have hitherto prevented
their contributing to the support of the Poor
1775.
June 1
of Boston, but they now send sixty-three bar-
rels of Rice, and one hundred and twenty-two
Pounds sterling, in Specie, and expect soon to
send another token of their regard, - - 871
, Letter from the Independent Company of Albe-
marle, Virginia, to the Williamsburgh Volun-
teers. The landing any armed force in the
Colony will justify opposition, ... 872
Letter from Easton, Pennsylvania, to Richard
Henry Lee. Suggesting offers to be made by
the Continental Congress to the King, for a
reconciliation, ------ 872
Letter from the New- York Congress to their
Delegates in the Continental Congress, trans-
mitting important intelligence just received
from Albany, Watertown, and Hartford. —
They have no Money nor Powder, and can-
not have Money until they receive the direc-
tions of the Congress, who ought to assign the
several quotas of Men and Money to each of
the Colonies, 378
Memorial of John Sparding, living at Ticonde-
roga Landing, to the New-York Congress, - 873
Letter from the New-York Congress to the Sub-
Committee of the City and County of Albany.
New-York being unable to garrison Ticonde-
roga, Crown Point, or Fort George, applied
to the Eastern Colonies for assistance: and
Connecticut has sent one thousand Men there,
under Colonel Hintnan. There is no Powder
in New-York, 1269
Letter from the Camp, near Boston, to a Gentle-
man in New- York. Account of the attack
on the Provincials by the King's Troops at
Noddle-Island and Hog-Island, - - -
Declaration of Alexander Walker, one of the
signers of the Address to Governour Hutchin-
son, - -----
An Address to the Americans. They are called
upon by the providence of God to fight for
their Liberties, ------
Address of the Pastors of the Congregational
Churches of Massachusetts to the Provincial
Congress, ------
Resolution of the Convention of Congregational
Ministers, offering their services to officiate as
Chaplains to the Army, - - - -
Letter from the Selectmen of Lunenburgh to the
Massachusetts Congress, requesting to be ex-
cused from furnishing two half barrels of Pow-
der from their Town stock for the Army, as it
will leave them but thirty pounds for their
own defence, ------ 876
Petition of William Tallman and others, to the
Massachusetts Congress, requesting the Ves-
sels they have fitted out at great expense for
Whaling Voyages, may be permitted to pro-
ceed to sea, ------ 876
Letter from the Massachusetts Congress to Col.
Benedict Arnold, highly approving the ac-
quisitions he has made at Ticonderoga, Crown
Point, on the Lake, &c. ; they regret his re-
peated requests to send some one to succeed
him in the command, and request him to con-
tinue until New- York or Connecticut shall
take the charge of maintaining the Posts, - 1382
Letter from the Massachusetts Congress to the
New- Hampshire Congress, requesting them to
unite in the defence and security of Ticon-
deroga and Crown Point, - 876
Letter from the Massachusetts Congress to the
Assembly of Connecticut. Maintaining a Post
at Ticonderoga or Crown Point is of the ut-
most importance. New- York does not intend
to dismantle these Posts entirely, but only to
supply from them such Fortifications as may
be erected at the south end of Lake George, - 877
Letter from Governour Trumbull to the Massa-
chusetts Congress. The Provincial Congress
of New- York are desirous to maintain the im-
portant Posts of Ticonderoga and Crown Point,
and Albany will afford their utmost assistance
for securing these Posts for the common de-
fonce, ------- 877
Petition of Joseph Kelly, of Nottingham- West,
to the New-Hampshire Congress, - - 878
I, 'iter from the President of the Continental Con-
gress to the New- York Congress, enclosing
874
875
875
875
876
UCX1X
1775.
CONTENTS.
LXXX
2,
2,
2,
2,
a Resolution of May 31. and requesting their
immediate compliance with it, so far as r>
the famishing Batteaus, ProTiaio—,8*an
:\t Ticonderoga and Crown Point,
June2, An OM Man's Company formed in Reading,
Pennsylvania. It eonwH of eighty Germane,
of the age of forty and upwards. The per-
son who led them at their first assembling
under arms is ninety-seven years of age, -
List of the Committees for the several Districts
in Tryon Countv, New- York, -
Letter from the Committee for Tryon County to
Colonel Guv Johnson. The People have
quietly assembled, signed the General Asso-
ciation, and appointed a Committee. It is their
d> k rmination to do what they can tn save their
Country, and will, if called upon, be the fore-
most to take the field. They request him to
dissuade the Indians from interfering in the
dispute between the Mother Country and the
Colonies, - - - - " " . "
Letter to John Holt, approving of his publishing
and putting his name on the Address against
unlawful Standing Armies, ...
No Standing Army in the British Colonies: or an
Address to the Inhabitants of the Colony of
New- York, against unlawful Standing Armies,
Letter of Robert and John Murray to the New-
York Congress, .....
Memorial of Robert and John Murray to the
New- York Congress, ....
Memorial of Robert and John Murray, Mer-
chants of the City of New- York, to the Con-
tinental Congress, - - -
Papers accompanying the Memorial,
Letter from John Lamb to the New- York Con-
gress, offering his services in the Artillery
Department, ------
Letter from Ethan Allen, at Crown Point, to the
New- York Congress. Importance of the
Posts on Lake Champlain, which have been
taken, and the necessity of retaining them.
With fifteen hundred Men he can take Mon-
treal, and it would be no difficult matter to take
Quebeck ; this object should be accomplished,
though it required ten thousand Men to do it.
If it is thought premature to push an Army
into Canada, he proposes to make a stand at
Isle-au-Noix, ------
Address of the New-York Provincial Congress
to the Inhabitants of the Province of Quebeck,
Letter from the Committee of Albany to the Pro-
vincial Congress of New- York, requesting
them to furnish Provisions, except Flour, for
the thousand Men sent by Governour Trum-
bull to Ticonderoga. They desire full instruc-
tions as to what is expected of them, and also
what disposition to make of the Prisoners taken
at St. John's,
Letter from General Greene to Jacob Greene, -
Petition of the Inhabitants of Georgetown, on
Kennebeck River, to the Massachusetts Con-
gress, for one or two barrels or half-barrels of
Powder, as they have but thirty pounds, and
are in daily expectation of being plundered by
the British armed vessels, - - - .
Letter from Colonel Gridley to the Massachusetts
Committee of Safety, ....
Letter from Nathaniel Shaw, at New- London, to
the New-Hampshire Congress. Has ordered
a large quantity of Powder, but, from its not ar-
riving, fears the Cruisers in the British Chan-
nel, or the negotiations between Great Britain
and the States of Holland, have prevented it,
Letter from the New-Hampshire Congress to
their Delegates in the Continental Congress.
Circumstances appear daily more and more
alarming: the Men-oi- War stop all Provision
Vessels coming to Portsmouth : ArmsandGun-
powder must be procured, if possible, in the
Southern Governments; it is indispensable that
some plan be adopted by the Continental Con-
■ for a Paper Currency, or some other to
in' 1 1 the present urgent necessity,
from the New- Hampshire Congress to the
Continental Congress, remonstrating against
the abandonment of Ticonderoga and Crown
Point, and removing the Cannon to the south
end of Lake George, -
- 1271
878
878
879
- 880
881
- 887
887
888
890
891
- 891
893
2,
2,
2,
2,
2,
1775.
June 2,
1276
894
894
- 894
894
895
895
Letter from the New-Hampshire Congress to
the New- York Congress. The Fortress of
Ticonderoga is important to the welfare of all
the Northern Colonies, and particularly so to
New-Hampshire, where the thoughts of its
demolition casts a damp on the spirits of the
People ; they trust the order for its abandon-
ment will be reconsidered by the Continental
Congress, but are determined to abide by the
determination of that body, ... 895
2, Letter from the Committee of Portsmouth, New-
Hampshire, to the Provincial Congress. Re-
quest the Congress will regulate all future
movements of any bodies of armed men from
one Town to another, .... 896
3, Provincial Congress of South-Carolina earnestly
recommend to their Constituents the promotion
of union and harmony, - - - - 896
3, Association unanimously agreed to in the Provin-
cial Congress of South-Carolina, - - 897
3 Norfolk, Virginia, Committee. Order the imme-
diate return of the Ship Molly, Captain Mitch-
eson, lately arrived from Great Britain, laden
with a large quantity of Goods, in violation of
the Association, ..... 897
3 Letter from the New- York Delegates in the Con-
tinental Congress to the Provincial Congress.
They are much pleased with the New- York
plan for raising Money, but doubt of its being
adopted by the Continental Congress. As Gen-
eral Officers will, in all probability, be appoint-
ed soon, they wish to know who would be most
acceptable to them, to take command of the
Continental Army in the Province, which is
to be maintained at the general charge, - 898
3, Letter from the New- York Congress to the In-
habitants of Tryon County, urging them, for
their own reputations' sake, the love of their
Country, their regard for the welfare of the
whole Continent, and of millions yet unborn,
not to separate from their brethren upon this
momentous occasion, but to unite with the rest
of the Colony, and send Deputies to the Pro-
vincial Congress. Perhaps this will be the
last application, as the time has almost come
when we should be able to know our ene-
mies, ....... 1274
3, Letter from the Congress of New-York to Colo-
nel Guy Johnson. They will discountenance
every attempt against his person and property,
and expect he will not counteract any measures
recommended by the Continental or Provin-
cial Congress, or by the Committees formed,
or to be formed. The dispute has become so
serious that they cannot silently suffer their
plan to be frustrated by their own Countrymen, 1275
3, New- York Committee. Mr. George Folliot de-
clines taking his seat in the Provincial Con-
gress, and Isaac Sears is nominated in his
place, 898
3, Proclamation by Lieutenant-Govemour Colden,
further proroguing the Meeting of the Assem-
bly to the 5th of July next, - - - 899
2, Letter from James Rivington to the New- York
Congress, 899
Letter from the New- York Committee to the
Continental Congress, referring to their decision
in the case of James Rivington, - 899
3, Post-Master and Post-Rider appointed by the
Committee of Providence, Rhode- Island, to be
under their direction until the Assembly of the
Colony, or the Continental Congress, shall
make other regulations and appointments, - 900
3, Letter from the Massachusetts Congress to Henry
Gardner, requiring him to proceed immediate-
ly to sign Bills for the payment of the Troops,
to prevent their returning home, - - - 900
3, Letter from the Committee of the Town of Arun-
del, in Massachusetts, to the Provincial Con-
gress. They have seized a Vessel from Bos-
ton, with a number of the King's Arms on
board, and send the persons and papers seized,
to be disposed of by the Congress, - - 900
Deposition of Samuel Smith, - - - - 901
Orders from William Sheriff", dated Boston,
May 30, to Josiah Jones, to proceed to Wind-
sor, in Nova-Scotia, - - - . - 901
Letter from William Sheriff", dated Boston, May
30, to Day & Scott, at Windsor, Nova-Scotia, 901
LXXXI
1775.
CONTENTS.
lxxxii
903
903
904
904
Letter from William Sheriff, dated Boston, May
29, to Thomas Williams, Storekeeper of Ord-
nance at Annapolis Royal, - 902
June 3, Letter from Loammi Baldwin to the Massachu-
setts Congress, ------ 902
3, Letter from the New- Hampshire Congress to the
Massachusetts Congress. Having undoubted
intelligence of the attempts of the British Min-
istry to engage the Canadians and Indians in
their interest, they have raised and sent three
Companies for the protection of the frontier
settlements, 902
4, Letter from a Gentleman in London to his friend
in Philadelphia. The duplicity of New- York
will ever render them suspected. The many
assurances given to the Ministry by their lead-
ers, justify a suspicion, which the conduct of
some of their Merchants confirms, that they
would adopt any means to break through the
Association, ------
4, Meeting of the Committee of Observation for
Anne Arundel County, Maryland,
4. Letter from Colonel Philip Schuyler to the New-
York Congress. He has been appointed by
the Continental Congress to settle the Accounts
of the People employed in the reduction of
Ticonderoga, ------
4, Letter from Ethan Allen, at present the principal
commander of the Army at Ticonderoga, to
our worthy and respectable countrymen and
friends, the French People of Canada, -
4, Letter from Elbridge Gerry to the Massachu-
setts Delegates in the Continental Congress.
Government is so essential that it cannot be too
soon adopted. Every day's delay will make
the task more arduous. A regular General is
wanted to assist in disciplining the Army; the
pride of the People would prevent their being
led by any General not American, yet Gene-
ral Lee could be of great service. The New-
England Generals would acquiesce in the ap-
pointment of Colonel Washington as Gene-
ralissimo, ------ go6
4, Letter from General Ward and the Chairmen of
the Committees of Safety and Supplies, to the
Continental Congress. The Army at Cam-
bridge is so entirely destitute of Powder that
they are in danger of falling a prey to their
enemies for want of the means of defence;
they earnestly beseech that whatever can be
spared in the other Colonies may be sent for
their relief, - . - - -
4. Letter from Mrs. Bowdoin to the Massachusetts
Congress, enclosing Depositions relating to the
plundering and abuse of the Inhabitants of the
Elizabeth Islands, by Captain Lindsey, of the
Falcon Sloop-of-War, - - - -
Deposition of Elisha Nye, - - - -
Deposition of John Tucker, Jeremiah Robinson,
Elisha Robinson and Ebenezer Meigs, -
Statement of Daniel Eyry, - - - -
5, Political Observations on the Rebellion in
America. Their wealth is the source of their
Rebellion, and the Ministry have wisely begun
to reduce them to reason by lessening it. If
they persist in their Rebellion, all the calami-
ties that arise from it will, in the sight of God
and man, lie at their door, - - - - 909
5, Association entered into at Savannah, in Georgia, 1551
5, Philadelphia Committee, prohibit the landing or
selling of Goods without a certificate from the
Committee whence they are sent, that they were
imported within the rules of the Congress, - 909
5, Letter to General Burgoyne, from a Pennsyl-
vanian, - - - - - - -910
5, Letter from William Duer to the New- York
Congress, representing the Disturbances and
Riots in the New-Hampshire Grants, - - 910
5, Letter from Colonel Guy Johnson to the Com-
mittee for Tryon County, New- York, - - 911
5, Letter from Hartford to a Gentleman in New-
York. Robert Temple, a high-flying Tory,
taken at Plymouth, and sent to Cambridge,
with his papers, - - - - -912
5, Letter from Jain<s Curgenven to Govcrnour
Trumbull, informing him of his appointment
of Collector of the Customs for the Port of
New- Haven, enclosing him a copy of the
Fourth Series. — Vol. ii.
- 906
906
907
908
909
1775.
912
914
914
914
915
Oath of Office he had taken before the Board
of Customs, and requesting to be informed if
he will administer to him the usual Oath taken
by Officers of the Crown, -
June 5, Petition of Soldiers in Captain Drury's Company
to the Massachusetts Congress, - - -
5, Petition of the Captains in Colonel Scammons's
Regiment to the Massachusetts Congress,
5, Town Meeting in Conway, New- Hampshire. —
Committee appointed, and empowered to in-
quire into the conduct of obnoxious persons,
and refugees from other Towns, - - -
6, Address to the Minister. His (Lord North's)
policy has driven the Americans to resistance,
6, Letter from the Committee of Intelligence for
Charlestown, South-Carolina, to the New- York
Congress. The apprehension of a defection in
New- York gave inexpressible anxiety to all
America, and at the same time encouraged the
Ministry to proceed in all their measures; they
are happy to find this apprehension was unjustly
formed, - 1323
6, Committee appointed to receive the signatures of
the Inhabitants of Charlestown to the Asso-
ciation adopted by the Provincial Congress of
South-Carolina, on the 3d instant, - - 915
6, Committee of Chester County, Pennsylvania.
Proceedings on the charge against William
Moore, that he is inimical to the Liberties of
America, ---... 916
6, Letter from the New- York Congress to Govern-
our Trumbull. The supply of Powder in the
Colony is so insufficient that they cannot con-
tribute in the least towards supplying Ticonde-
roga and Crown Point with it, - - - 916
6, Letter from Pierpont Edwards to the New- York
Congress. Request the fullest information of
the measures they have adopted, that he may
communicate them to the Assembly of Con-
necticut, - - - - - - -917
6, Letter from Jacobus Louw to the Ulster County,
New- York, Committee, making concessions
for his opposition to the Resolves of the Con-
tinental Congress, - - - - - 917
6, Meeting of the Committee for the Town of King-
ston, in Ulster County, New- York. Mr. Louw
having made reasonable satisfaction, is recom-
mended as a friend to the rights and liberties of
British America, - - - - - 917
6, Letter from Captain Henry B. Livingston to the
New- York Congress, - - - - 918
6, Meeting of Delegates from the several Towns in
the County of Cumberland, New- York. They
will resist and oppose the acts of Parliament
for raising a Revenue in America, and adopt
the Association entered into at New- York.
They have many brave Soldiers, but nothing
to fight with, and request a supply from the
Congress, ------
Letter from James Easton, at Crown Point, to the
Massachusetts Congress, - - - -
Concession of Silvanus Whitney to the Commit-
tee of Observation for Stamford, Connecticut,
Narrative of the destruction of the Tea, delivered
up by Silvanus Whitney, -
Exchange of Prisoners at Charlestown, -
Declaration by John Prentice, of his reasons for
signing the Address to Governour Hutchinson,
Subscription of One Hundred Pounds, by the
Constitutional Society, London, for the relief of
the Widows and Orphans of those who were
inhumanly murdered by the King's Troops at
Lexington and Concord, in April last, -
The Association of the Provincial Congress of
South-Carolina, signed universally by the In-
habitants of Charlestown ; two persons only
treated it with contempt,
Petition of Michael Hubart to the Committee of
Correspondence at Charlestown, complaining
of his treatment by Laughlin Martin and John
Dealy, ------
Account of the punishment of Martin and Dea
ly,(Note,) - - - - - -
7, Letter from North-Carolma to a Gentleman in
New- York. The Governour has sent his
family to New- York, and has taken up his
residence in Fort Johnston, at the mouth of
Cape-Fear River.
6,
6,
6,
6,
7,
8,
918
919
920
920
920
921
921
- 922
- 922
92o
924
CONTENTS.
- 1037
- 924
925
925
- 925
LXXXIII
1775.
June 7, Meeting of the Governour and Committee of War
lor Connecticut. Fifty barrels of Powder or-
derad to be sent to the American Army before
Boston, -
Masting of the Committee of Worcester County,
Maryland. Acknowledge their allegiance to the
King, an affection for his person, and zeal for
the support of his crown and dignity; will do
all in their power to oppose the detested Mm-
i>t. rial plan lor enslaving their Country, and
will cheerfully contribute to assist their suffer-
ing brethren in Boston, -
7, Dixou Quinton and Thomas Lambden declared
enemies of their Country, by the Worcester,
Maryland, Committee, -
7, Delaware Assembly declare they will be charge-
able with their share of the expense incurred
in the defence of the lives and liberties of the
People of the Twelve United Colonies, and of
the Parish of St. John's, in Georgia, -
7, Letter from General Charles Lee to General
Burgoyne, .....
7, Philadelphia Committee examine the complaint
against Captain Robert Torrans, for having
imported and sold some Irish Linens about the
first of May last, and resolve that he has wil-
fully and knowingly violated the Continental
Association, ...... 928
7, Letter from the New- York Congress to their
Delegates in the Continental Congress, enclos-
ing the Report of a Committee appointed on
erecting Fortifications at King's Bridge. The
ground is so irregular on the Northern part
of Manhattan Island that no Fortifications can
be constructed there so as to be tenable for any
length of time. No part of the Island is
adapted for a Magazine or place of Arms, with
an enemy superiour in the field, and with the
command of both Rivers, - - - - 1278
7, Letter from the New- York Congress to the Com-
mittee of Albany. Highly approve of their
zeal and activity in raising Troops, but request
them to proceed no further without orders ; the
two Companies raised may be sent to Ticon-
deroga. The Prisoners taken at St. John's
should remain at liberty, and be supported out
of the Colony Provisions, - - - - 1280
7, Letter from the New- York Congress to their
Delegates in the Continental Congress ; calling
their attention to the necessity of immediately
providing Money, without which it will be im-
possible to comply with their further requests.
Their attention is particularly called to the
situation of New- York, with respect to the
Indians on their Northern Frontiers, whom
policy will teach the British Ministry to set
upon them, that they may be driven for protec-
tion to embrace their terms of slavery; this
evil may be remedied by the appointment of a
Continental Superintendent of Indian affairs,
instead of leaving the management of Indian
affairs in the hands of Crown Officers. The
appointment of a General is left to the wisdom
of the Continental Congress, - • - - 1281
7, Letter from the New- York Congress to their
Delegates in the Continental Congress, re-
commending Colonel Philip Schuyler and
Captain Richard Montgomery to the offices
of Major and Brigadier-General, - - 1282
7, Letter from the New- York Congress to the Mas-
sachusetts Committee of Safety. They are
fully aware of the dangerous consequences
that await them, either from supineness, or a
confidence in the honour of the avowed instru-
ments of Ministerial vengeance, ...
7, Petition o( Donald McL-od, late from Scotland,
to the New- York Committee, asking for a
Commission, ---...
7, Letter from Benjamin Lindsay to the New- York
Committee, asking permission to take on board
a parcel of Flour for the Poor of Boston, -
7, Application of the Selectmen of the Town of
Lancaster to the Massachusetts Congn B8, to
know what shall be done wilh the Estates of
those who have gone to General Gage,
7, Letter from Committee of Belfast, &c , to the Mas-
"cl j "ugress, representing the defence-
less condition of the Towns they represent, - 930
LXXXIV
1775.
June 7,
8,
1,
8,
928
929
929
930
9,
Petition of Davis and Coverly to the Massachu-
setts Congress, - - - - -
Hanover, Virginia, Volunteers, declare they will
risk their lives to aid and assist in protecting
the Libei lies of their Country, and approve of
the reprisals on the King's property for the
Powder taken by Lord Dunmore,
Three Battalions of the City and Liberties of
Philadelphia, the Artillery Company, a Troop
of Light- Horse, several Companies of Light-
Infantry, Rangers, and Riflemen, in all above
two thousand Men, reviewed by the Members
of the Continental Congress, ...
Letter from Abraham Clark, of Elizabethtown,
New-Jersey, to the New- York Congress.
Forward six quarter casks and two half bar-
rels of Gunpowder, to be sent on to the Camp
near Boston, ------
Letter from the New- York Congress to the Con-
tinental Congress, enclosing a Letter from
General Ward, Joseph Warren, and Moses
Gill, dated Camp, June 4, 1775, - - -
Letter to the Provincial Congress of New- York,
from General Ward, Dr. Warren President
of the Committee of Safety, and Moses Gill
Chairman of the Committee of Supplies, of
Massachusetts, informing them of their dis-
tressed condition for want of Powder, and
urging them in the strongest terms to assist
them with a supply, - - - -
Petition of Donald McLeod, late from Scotland :
can raise a Company of Scottish Highland-
ers, to enter the service of the Colonies, and
requests an answer to his application for a
Commission, -----
New- York Committee. Isaac Sears elected a
Deputy to the Provincial Congress, in place of
George Folliot. Committee appointed to ex-
amine the cargo of any Vessel which arrives,
suspected of having on board Goods not ad-
missible, -------
Meeting of Freeholders of Brookhaven, in Suf-
folk County, New- York, choose a Committee
of Observation, -
Letter from the Committee of Cumberland Coun-
ty, New- York, to the Provincial Congress.
Will support all the American measures in
opposition to the arbitrary, tyrannick, and san-
guinary measures of the British Parliament,
Petition of the Senior Class of Rhode-Island
College to the President, -
Answer of the President to the Petition of the
Senior Class, ------
Letter from Governour Trumbull to the Massa-
chusetts Congress, -----
Letter from the Massachusetts Congress to Cap-
tain Solomon Uhhaunnauwaunmut, Chief Sa-
chem of the Moheakonnuck Tribe of Indians,
at Stockbridge, -----
Letter from the Portsmouth, New-Hampshire,
Committee, to the Provincial Congress,
Committee appointed by the New-Hampshire
Congress to demand of George Jaffrey, Trea-
surer of the Colony, the Money in his hands,
The Provincial Congress of South-Carolina have
determined to raise two Regiments of Foot
and one of Horse immediately, and to put the
Militia on a respectable footing, - - .
Volunteer Company of Lancaster County, Vir-
ginia. Thank Captain Patrick Henry for his
spirited conduct in the late expedition, and will
defend him and the Delegates, and all other
friends to America, whom the abandoned tools
of Administration may dare to attack, -
Letter from the New- York Congress to the
Commander-in-Chief, at Ticonderoga, -
Letter from the New- York Congress to the Com-
missioners at Albany, appointed to superintend
the removal of the Stores from Ticonderoga, -
Letter from William Williams, Benjamin Waite,
and Joab Hoisington, to the New- York Con-
gress, requesting to be appointed Field-Offi-
cers, - - ...
Letter from Ethan Allen to the Massachusetts
Congress. Two or three thousand Men, con-
ducted by intrepid commanders, would at this
juncture make a conquest of Canada. Such
a plan would make a diversion in favour of the
931
931
931
- 931
931
- 932
i
a
- 932
933
933
934
935
936
936
937
937
937
938
938
1288
1188
938
I.XXXV
1775.
CONTENTS.
LXXXVI
Massachusetts-Bay, who have been too much
burdened with a calamity that should be more
general, 939
June 9, Proclamation by General Guy Carleton, Go-
vernour of the Province of Quebeck. Rebels
from the neighbouring Colonies, having' made
incursions into the Province, making prisoners
of a number of His Majesty's Troops, and are
at present invading the Province in a traitor-
ous manner, it is necessary to suspend the
ordinary course of civil law, and martial law
will henceforth be executed throughout the
Province, .--.-. 940
9, Letter from the Reverend Samuel Kirkland, Mis-
sionary among the Oneida Indians, to the Com-
mittee of Albany. Colonel Johnson has orders
from Government to remove the dissenting
Missionaries from the Six Nations, till the
difficulties between Great Britain and the Co-
lonies are settled : he has forbid Mr, Kirkland
to speak one word to the Indians, and threat-
ened him with imprisonment if he transgresses,
because he translated the proceedings of the
Continental Congress for the Indians, at their
request, 1310
9, Letter from Governour Trumbull to the Conti-
nental Congress. Has made provision for
the defence of Ticonderoga ; Col. Hinman is
appointed to the command of the Troops there,
consisting of one thousand Men from Connec-
ticut, well armed, and furnished with one pound
of Powder and three pounds of Ball to each
man, .-..-..
9, Letter from Abiathar Angell to the Massachu-
setts Congress, ------
Petition and Remonstrance of Abiathar Angell,
of Lanesborough, in the County of Berkshire,
to the Massachusetts Congress, -
9, Letter from John Lane, at Fort Pownall, to the
Massachusetts Congress, -
Journal of John Lane, from Watertown to Pe-
nobscot, to treat with the Eastern Indians,
9, Letter from Elisha Hewes, dated at Penobscot
River, to the Massachusetts Congress, -
9, Letter from Joseph Hawley to Joseph Warren.
Urges reasons why the Posts on Lake Cham-
plain should not be abandoned, but should be
maintained at all events, .... 944
10, Account of what passed on the 19th of April last,
between a Detachment of the King's Troops,
in the Province of Massachusetts-Bay, and
several parties of the Rebel Provincials, pub-
lished officially in the London Gazette, - 945
Return by General Gage of the Commissioned
and Non-Commissioned Officers, Rank and
File, Killed, Wounded, Prisoners and Missing,
on the 19th of April, 1775, - - - 946
1 2, Remarks on the Gazette account of the Action
of the 19th of April, - - - - 947
Strictures on the Gazette account of the Action
between the Provincials and the Regulars, near
Boston, 948
Address to the People of England, on the Ga-
zette account of the Attack of His Majesty's
Troops on the Provincials in Massachusetts, - 952
10, Letter from Falmouth, in England, to a Gentle-
man in Philadelphia. The hostilities com-
menced in America, between the King's
Troops and the Provincials, will be attend-
ed with fatal consequences to both parties, - 953
10, Officers of the First and Second Regiments of
Infantry, and of the Regiment of Horse
Rangers, appointed by Provincial Congress
of South-Carolina, 953
10, Letter from John Hancock, President, to the New-
York Congress, enclosing a Resolution re-
questing them to purchase and forward to the
Army at Boston, with the utmost expedition
and secrecy, five thousand barrels of Flour, - 954
10, Letter to the New- York Congress, from their
Delegates in the Continental Congress. The
emission of Paper Money will be discussed
on the 12th. Indian affairs, which are of the
highest importance to New- York, will be duly
considered by the Congress. The Indians will
not be disposed to engage in our unhappy quar-
ri-'l, unless deceived by misrepresentations; and
this, with care on our part, can be prevented, - 954
1775.
June I
10,
10,
10,
10,
10,
10,
10,
940
10,
941
10,
941
942
942
943
11,
11,
12,
12,
12,
12,
12,
12,
12,
12,
12
12
0, Letter from President Hancock to the Massachu-
setts Congress, enclosing a Resolution of the
Congress advising the assumption of Civil
Government by Massachusetts, Gen. Gage
having levied War against His Majesty's
peaceable Subjects of that Colony, - - 955
Letter from Thomas Cushing to Elbridge Gerry, 955
Letter from Robert Treat Paine to Elbridge
Gerry, 956
Letter from President Hancock to the New-
Hampshire Congress, enclosing Resolutions
of the Congress of this day, ... 956
Letter from the New- York Congress to their
Delegates in the Continental Congress. A
Vessel, suspected of having on board Provi-
sions for the British Army at Boston, has been
detained to get the opinion of the Continental
Congress whether she should be permitted to
proceed, --..... 956
Letter from the New- York Congress to Govern-
our Trumbull. Have procured six hundred
and fifty pounds of Powder from New-Jersey
for Massachusetts, which will be forwarded
immediately, ----.- 957
Letter from Robert Boyd to the New- York Con-
gress, informing them he can make Muskets,
and requesting an advance of one hundred
Pounds, to provide the necessary Machinery, 957
Letter from the Officers at Crown Point and Ti-
conderoga to the Continental Congress. Re-
commend Ethan Allen, Seth Warner and Re-
member Baker for appointments, - - 958
Letter from Elisha Hewes, at Fort Pownall, to
the Massachusetts Congress, ... 958
Letter from the Committee of Conway, New-
Hampshire, to Matthew Thornton. All the
young men are enlisted in the Army. The
old men are not able to carry on forming :
they are in want of Arms and Ammunition,
and, expecting an attack from the Indians,
apply to the Provincial Congress for assist-
ance, - - - - - - - 958
Tryon County, New- York, Committee, appoint
Delegates to the Provincial Congress, - - 959
Letter from the Massachusetts Congress to the
Continental Congress. The embarrassments
in executing every undertaking are so many
that they cannot be enumerated. This is
chiefly to be attributed to the want of a Civil
Government : on which the immediate advice
of the Congress is requested, ... 959
Letter from London to a Gentleman in Virginia.
Since the confirmation of the news brought
by Captain Derby, the Americans bear the
greatest applause here of any people in the
world, 960
Address to the People of England, on the Dis-
turbances in America, - - - - 961
Provincial Congress of South-Carolina. Resolve
that any person who refuses obedience to the
authority of the Congress shall be advertised
as an enemy to the Liberties of America, and
an object of the resentment of the Publick, - 962
Some Thoughts on the Constitution of the Bri-
tish Empire and the Controversy between
Great Britain and the American Colonies, - 962
Letter from the New- York Congress to the Mer-
chants of Canada, ..... 1294
New- York Committee. Direct the removal of
some Soldiers' Wives and their Children, in-
fected with the Small-Pox, out of the City, - 966
Letter from the Committees of the Precincts of
New-Marlborough, New- Windsor and New-
burgh, in Ulster County, New- York, to the
Provincial Congress, .... 966
Letter from Alexander McDougall to the Massa-
chusetts Congress. Some Powder has been
obtained, which will be forwarded this night,
accompanied by a Guard. They are directed
to travel always in the night, and to put up
in the day; to avoid any parade on the road
which might lead to a conclusion that the
Powder is much wanted by the Army, - 966
Letter from Alexander McDougall to Joseph
Warren, - - .... 967
Letter from Alexander McDougall to the Com-
mittee for Greenwich, Connecticut, requesting
them to forward the Powder, ... 967
L.XXXVII
Junel-2, Official notice of advices received by the Earl of
] i.irtmoulh, from QeB. ( tage, to this date,
12, Letter from General Que to the Earl e# Dart-
mouth. A plan for a R> bellion has been long
conceived, and the People's minds riprwd for
it.
12, Proclamation by General Gage, declaring the
Province of Massachusetts-Bay in a state of
actual Rebellion, offering pardon to all who lay
down their Arms, excepting only from the
benefit of pardon Samuel Adams and John
Hancock; suspending the Civil Law, and es-
tablishing Martial Law throughout the Pro
vince, ------
12, Letter from the Massachusetts Congress to the
Continental Congress. Taking and keeping
possession of Ticonderoga was necessary for
the preservation of the Liberties of America ;
but in so doing there was no intention to dis-
turb the People of Canada ; and they request
that means may be taken to remove the false
impressions made upon the minds of the Cana-
dians on this subject, -
12, Memorial of Henry Howell Williams to the Mas-
sachusetts Congress, setting forth the losses he
has sustained from a number of armed Troops,
commonly called Provincials, on Noddle- Island
and Hog- Island, in Boston-Bay, and praying
relief, -------
12, Declaration of John Worthington to Committee
for Springfield, Massachusetts, of his determi-
nation to support the measures of the Conti-
nental Congress, and of his willingness to de-
fend the Rights and Liberties of America,
12, Committee for Springfield, in Massachusetts. —
Recommend John Worthington to the favour-
able opinion of the Publick, and to the treat-
ment and respect due to a friend to the Country,
12, Acknowledgment of Timothy Brown, of Tewks-
bury, suspected as an enemy to his Country,
1 2, Committees for Chelmsford, Billerica and Tewks-
bury. Satisfied with Timothy Brown's Ac-
knowledgment, .....
12, Petition of the Town of Kittery to the Massa-
chusetts Congress. Their supplies of Provi-
sions are cut off, and their Town is threatened
to be beat down by the Captains of the Scar-
borough and the Canceaux Men-of-War;
being reduced to the alternative, either to fight
or perish by famine, they choose the first, and
request supplies of Powder and Ball, -
12, Letter from Elisha Phelps to the Massachusetts
Committee of Safety, -----
12, Letter from Newfoundland to a Gentleman in
New- York. The People are suffering for
bread ; they curse New- York, which was the
only place they depended on for assistance in
subjugating the Americans ; and propose the
most inhuman procedures if any of the Con-
tinental Congress should fall into their hands,
13, Letter from Governour Martin of North-Caro-
lina, to Henry White of New- York ; requests
him to send a Royal Standard, and Furniture
for a Colonel's Tent, -
13, Letter from one of the Virginia Delegates in the
Continental Congress to a friend in Williams-
burgh. Colonel Skene has just arrived from
London, charged with a power from the Ad-
ministration to influence the Members of Con-
gress, by arguments drawn on the Treasury.
He has been made a Prisoner, and is on his
parole, to remain within eight miles of Phila-
delphia, ---....
8, Letter from D. Cross, of Glasgow, in Scotland,
to James Dunlop, Merchant, Port- Royal, Vir-
ginia, ----...
13, Letter from D. Cross to James Dunlop and Pa-
trick Kenniin, Merchants, on Rappahannock,
Virginia, -------
13, Letter from Baltimore to a Gentleman in Vir-
ginia. Lord lHuimore left Williainsburgh,
and went on board a Man-of-War, on Friday,
the 8th instant, and refused to return on an in-
vitation from the Ass ■ mbly,
13, Lett.r from the New- Yoik Congress to their
Delegates in the < Ogress, en-
ing a Report of a Committee appointed to
examine the Highlands. -
CONTENTS.
LXXXV11I
968
9G8
- 968
970
971
971
972
972
972
972
973
973
974
974
975
975
97C
975
177...
June 13, Letter from Benedict Arnold, Crown Point, to
the Continental Congress. Has learned from
a Messenger he sent among the Indians, that
they are determined not to assist the King's
Troops. Governour Carleton has not suc-
ceeded in raising more than twenty Canadians;
if the Congress think proper to take posses-
sion of Montreal and Quebeck, it can be done
with two thousand Men; it would be more
advantageous to take and keep possession of
Quebeck than to rebuild Ticonderoga, - - 976
13, Letter from Benedict Arnold to Governour
Trumbull, 977
13, Letter from John Palmer, Quartermaster Gene-
ral, to the Massachusetts Committee of Safety, 978
13, Letter from the Massachusetts Congress to the
New- York Congress; informing them that
they have requested the Continental Congress
to quiet the apprehensions of the Canadians,
that hostile preparations are making against
them in some of the Colonies; and to coun-
teract the evil effects of the malevolent misrep-
resentations of Colonel Guy Johnson to the
Six Nations, 1319
13, Instructions of the Massachusetts Congress to
Walter Spooner, Jedediah Foster, and James
Sullivan, a Committee appointed to proceed to
Ticonderoga and Crown Point, by the road
through the new settlements called the New-
Hampshire Grants; giving them full power to
do every thing in behalf of Massachusetts, for
the effectual securing and maintaining those
Posts, which they shall judge necessary, - 1408
13, Petition of Lemuel Prescott, of Boston, to the
Massachusetts Congress, - - - - 978
13, Letter from the New-Hampshire Committee of
Safety to the Massachusetts Congress, - - 979
14, Letter from the Committee of Safety for New-
Hampshire to the Committee of Conway.
They have sent twenty-five pounds of Pow-
der; can spare no more, and can supply no
Arms, ---..--- 979
14, Letter from one of the Virginia Delegates in
Congress to his friend in Williamsburgh.
Colonel Washington has been pressed to take
supreme command of the American Troops
at Roxbury, and will probably accept the ap-
pointment. Ten thousand Men will be kept
up in Massachusetts, and five thousand in
New- York, at the expense of the Continent, - 979
14, Address to the Inhabitants of New-Jersey, - 980
14, Letter from William Duer to the New- York
Congress, - - - - - -981
14, Letter from William Goddard to the New- York
Congress, enclosing papers which are explana-
tory of a design formed by the friends of Free-
dom for annihilating the old Parliamentary
and Ministerial Post-Office in this Country, - 981
Papers from Massachusetts, Rhode-Island and
Connecticut, approving of the plan for estab-
lishing a Post-Office, 982
14, Letter from the New- York Congress to the Con-
tinental Congress, enclosing a copy of the
Resolution directing the purchase of Flour for
the Army, 983
14, Letter from the New-York Congress to their
Delegates in the Continental Congress, com-
municating information just received of the
sailing of Troops from Ireland for Boston and
New- York, 984
Information given by Captain Thompson to the
New- York Congress of the embarkation of
Troops for America, ----- 984
14, Letter from the New- York Congress to General
Wooster, requesting him to take charge of
Angus McDonald, ..... 1299
14, Letter from M. S. Mumford to Jonathan Trum-
bull, Jun. A ship from London, with Major
Skene and a quantity of Arms, arrived at Phi-
ladelphia, have been secured by the Congress, 985
14, Letter from Governour Cooke to Captain Wal-
lace, of His Majesty's Ship Rose, at Newport.
Remonstrating against his interrupting the
People of Rhode-Island in their lawful Trade,
and seizing their persons and property; de-
mands his reasons for doing so. and also de-
mands the immediate return of the Vessels he
lias taken, , 985
LXXXIX
177 5.
June 1 4, Letter from Capt. Wallace to Governour Cooke.
Supposes he writes in behalf of some body of
People, and desires to know whether or not
Governour Cooke, or the People for whom he
writes, are not in open Rebellion against their
lawful Sovereign, ----- 986
1 4, Letter from the Newport, Rhode- Island, Commit-
tee, to the Committee for East- Hampton, New-
York, 986
14, Letter from the Committee of Falmouth to the
Massachusetts Congress. No provision hav-
ing been made for the support of the Men en-
listed to guard the Sea-Coasts, they cannot con-
tinue to do duty. Four Indian Chiefs have
arrived at Falmouth, with Captain Lane, from
the Penobscot Tribe, 986
14, Letter from Josiah Jones and Jonathan Hicks to
the Massachusetts Congress, - - - 988
14, Letter from the Machias Committee to the Mas-
sachusetts Congress. Account of the capture
at that place of two Sloops and a British
Tender, 988
15, Appeal to the Publick, by Charles Gordon, of
Cecil County, Maryland, against a publication
by the Committee for Charlcstown Hundred, - 990
Reply of the Committee, .... 990
Proceedings of the Committee of Cecil County,
at Elk- Ferry, on the 24th of May, 1775, in re-
lation to Charles Gordon, who is declared an
enemy to his Country, - '- - - 991
1 5, " Memento" to Lord North, - 992
15, Address of Montford Browne, Governour of the
Bahama Islands, inviting settlements in Louisi-
ana and Mississippi, ----- 992
Governour Browne's reasons, as presented to the
King, for an immediate Civil Government in
the British Dominions adjoining to the River
Mississippi, in North America, - - - 993
15, Letter from President Hancock to the Massachu-
setts Congress, ------ 1000
15, Letter from the New- York Congress to General
Wooster, enclosing a Resolution requesting
him to march with his Troops from Connecti-
cut, to the distance of five miles from the City,
to be subject to the orders of the Continental
Congress, - - - - - -
15, Letter from Adonijah Strong to the Albany Com-
mittee, -------
15, Letter from General Wooster, at Greenwich,
Connecticut, to the New- York Congress. He
has received and will secure Angus McDon-
ald. Regrets they have to send their Prisoners
so far, and would be much better pleased to re-
ceive them nearer the City, especially as four
Regiments from Ireland are expected so soon,
15, Letter from General Wooster to Governour
Trumbull, requests he may be ordered to New-
York, -
1 4, Letter from Isaac Sears to General Wooster, in-
forming him of a motion made in the Provin-
cial Congress to ask him to march there with
his Troops, ------
15, Answer to a Speech sent by the Stockbridge
Indians to the Cau«hnawagas, or Canadian
Tribes of Indians, near Montreal,
15, Letter from General Ward to the Worcester,
Massachusetts, Committee, enclosing an Order
for the removal of Samuel Murray from the
Jail in Worcester to his father in Rutland,
15, Letter from the Massachusetts Congress to the
New-Hampshire Congress, -
15, Letter from William Stoddard, Boston, to Capt.
James Littlefield, Watertown, -
15, " Sydney" to the Soldiers and Seamen serving in
the British Fleet and Army in America,
15, Letter from the Rev. Samuel Langdon to the
Massachusetts Congress, ...
15, Ijetter to Dr. Joseph Warren, President of the
Massachusetts Congress. Hf commending the
employment by the Colony of some Armed
Vessels, to protect their Towns and Coasting
Trade from British Vessels-of-War, - - 1005
1 5, Letter from the Committee of Correspondence of
Falmouth to the Massachusetts Congress —
Mr. Lane is on his way to Watertown, with
four Indian Chiefs of the Penobscot Tribe, - 1005
15, Letter from Colonel Reid to the New-Hampshire
< ■immiltee of Safety, .... 1005
CONTENTS.
1775.
June i
14,
16,
16,
16,
16,
16,
16,
16,
16,
17,
17,
17,
17,
1000
1000
17,
1001
17,
17,
1001
17,
1002
17,
1002
1003
17,
1003
1003
17,
1004
1004
17,
18,
!, Letter from Colonel Reid to the New-Hampshire
Committee of Safety, recommending Andrew
Colburn for an appointment, ...
Services done by Andrew Colburn in the last
^ War,
Colonel James Reid's Regimental Orders for the
New-Hampshire Troops under his command,
Letter from Joseph Habersham to Philotheos
Chiffelle. Efforts of Mr. Stuart and Mr. Cam-
eron to engage the Southern Indians on the
side of the British Government,
Letter from a Pennsylvanian to Gen. Burgoyne,
Account of the Province Stores at Albany, New-
York,
Letter from General Wooster to Governour
Trumbull, requesting his instructions about
complying with the request from New-York
to march his Troops there, and place them
under the direction of the Continental Con-
gress, -------
Letter from an Officer in the Navy at Boston to
his friend in England. Sixteen of the Trans-
ports ordered from England to New- York are,
by the General, ordered to Boston. Expects
to hear of bloody work soon, as the Troops
are determined to lay the Country waste as
they go, with Fire and Sword, - - -
Proclamation by the Provincial Congress of Mas-
sachusetts, ......
Petition of the Selectmen of Edgartown to the
Massachusetts Congress, -
Letter from Colonel Israel Oilman to the New-
Hampshire Congress. The Regulars are ex-
pected soon to make a push for Bunker's Hill
or Dorchester Neck, ....
Address to the People of England, ...
Provincial Congress of South-Carolina direct the
election of a new Congress, . - -
To the Committee of the City of Philadelphia.
Calling their attention to the injury that may
be done, if the Officer lately arrived from the
Army in Boston, and says he has sold out,
should prove to be a Spy for General Gage, -
Letter from James Duane to the New- York Con-
gress. The Continental Congress has ordered
an emission of Two Millions of Dollars, in
Paper Currency. Have agreed to raise, at the
Continental expense, a body of fifteen thousand
Men, and have appointed Col. George Wash-
ington Captain-General of all the Forces raised
and to be raised in the common cause, -
Letter from the New- York Congress to their Del-
egates in the Continental Congress,
Letter from the New- York Congress to General
Wooster, .-----.
Meeting of the Governour and Committee of
War for Connecticut, ....
Letter from General Wooster to the New- York
Congress. Has sent their Letter of the 15th
to the Governour, and holds himself in readi-
ness to march as soon as he receives the Gov-
ernour's orders, - - - - -
Letter from the Committee of Supplies to the
Committee of Safety of Massachusetts. Ex-
clusive of thirty-six half barrels of Powder
received from Connecticut, there are only in
the Magazine twenty-seven half barrels,
Letter from the Committee for Machias to the
Massachusetts Congress. Both of Captain
Jones's Sloops, taken with the Margaretta,
one of the King's Tenders, were in the King's
service, -------
Account of an Engagement at Charlestown, in
Massachusetts, between about three thousand
of the King's Regular Forces and about half
that number of Provincials, on Saturday, the
17th of June, 1775, ... -
Letter from Governour Wentworth, at Castle
William and Mary, in Portsmouth Harbour,
to Theodore Atkinson. Captain Barclay has
seized a Vessel from Newbury, Massachusetts,
for breach of Acts cf Trade, and directs that
she may be forthwith libelled in the Court of
Admiralty, . - - - -
Letter from President Hancock to Elbridge Ger-
ry. Colonel Washington is appointed Com-
mander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, and
he will depart in a few days for Cambridge.
XC
1006
1006
1007
1007
1008
1009
1010
1010
1011
1013
1013
1013
1016
1016
1016
1017
1304
1037
1306
- 1017
1017
- 1018
- 1019
1775.
CONTENTS.
xcn
18,
17,
18,
18,
18,
18,
18,
19,
19,
19,
19,
19,
19,
19.
19,
19,
19,
19,
19,
19.
Ten Companies of Riflemen, from Pennsylva-
M iryland, and Virginia, are ordered' im-
mediately to proceed id your Army,
from John Adams to Elbndge Gerry,
era) Washington has been chosen Com-
mand, i-iu-t "hi- 1, I tenant] Ward First Major-
General, and General Lee Second, and Majoi
( lakes Adjutant-General. The virtuous attach-
menl of our countrymen to their own officers
presented sn objection to the appointment of
and ( iates, which was overcome by the
earnest ay sire of General Washington to have
their assistance, -
( Seneral Wooetar to the New- York Congress, -
Letter from General Wooster to Governour
Trumbull, enclosing a Letter, dated yesterday,
from New- York, -
Letter from the New- York Congress to General
Wooster, informing him of the change in the
destination of the Troops; a Ship-of-War is
off Sandy Hook, to direct the Transports to
proceed to Boston, -----
Letter from an Officer of the British Army at
Boston to a Gentleman in London. Account
of the Battle of Bunker's Hill; the Provincials
were defeated, but the victory has cost us very
dear, and we do not enjoy one solid benefit
from it; we have learned one melancholy
truth, which is, that the Americans, if equally
well commanded, are as good Soldiers as ours,
Letter from General Thomas to the Massachu-
setts Congress, recommending the appointment
of an Adjutant and Quartermaster-General, -
Letter from the Massachusetts Committee of Sup-
plies to the Committee of Safety, - - -
Circular Letter from the Committee of Supplies
to the several Towns in Massachusetts, urging
them to forward Provisions for the Army,
Letter from Colonel Bartlett to General Folsom,
with intelligence of the Battle yesterday, and
the burning of Chariestown, ...
Meeting of the Committee for the County of
Prince Edward, Virginia. Resolutions on the
seizure of the Powder by Lord Dunmore, and
approving the conduct of Captain Patrick Hen-
ry in making reprisals for it,
Meeting of the Frederick County, Virginia, Com-
mittee. Resolutions on the seizure of the Pow-
der by Lord Dunmore, and the Address from
the Council to the People of Virginia, -
Queen Anne County, Maryland, Committee.
Prohibit the dealing with any Merchant in the
County who does not produce satisfactory evi-
dence that his Goods were imported agreeable
to the Association, -
Letter from Brook Watson to the New- York
Congress, ----..
Meeting of the Governour and Committee of War
for Connecticut, -
Letter from Governour Trumbull to the New-
York Congress. Has ordered seventeen hun-
dred Men, under the command of Major-Gene-
ral Wooster, to march immediately within five
miles of the City of New- York, subject to the
orders of the Continental Congress and Pro-
vincial Congress of New- York, - - -
Letter from Governour Trumbull to the Massa-
chusetts Congress, -
Letter from Governour Trumbull to Benedict
Arnold. The invasion of Canada should be
moved by the Continental Congress; the Army
at Boston, and the prospect of one arriving at
New- York, forbid our thinking of an Expe-
dition to Canada, -
Speech of the Chiefs and Warriors of the Oneida
Tribe of Indians to the four New-England
Provinces, directed to Governour Trumbull -
Town Meeting at Providence, Rhode-Island
Authorize Cartridges to be delivered out to the
Inhabitants, ----..
Providence, Rhode-Island, Packet, seized by the
British, and retaken, near Conanicut, -
Proclamation by General < lage, requiring all the
Inhabitants of Boston to deliver up thAr Fire-
Arms, and declaring all who omit to do so
enemies to His M i jtj 'g Government, -
Lettei irom ( leneral Ward to the Massachusetts
agress,
1019
1019
1306
1020
1020
1021
1021
1022
1022
1022
1023
- 1023
1024
1025
1038
1025
102G
1026
1116
1027
1027
1027
1028
1775.
Junel9, Letter from Joseph Ward to the Massachusetts
Congress, requesting the Troops to be furnish-
ed with Blankets, and Spears or Lances, - 1028
19, Letter from the Massachusetts Committee of Safe-
ty to the Provincial Congress, requesting that
measures may be taken to obtain the names
and places of abode of all who were Killed or
Wounded in the Battle of Lexington, and at
any time since, and of such as may be Killed
or Wounded at any future time, in the contest
between Great Britain and the Colonies, - 1028
Resolution of the Provincial Congress, for carry-
» ing into effect the foregoing request, - - 1028
19, Letter from Colonel John Stark to the New-
Hampshire Congress. Account of the engage-
ment on the 17th instant, .... 1029
19, Letter from James McGregore to the Committee
of Safety of New-Hampshire, ... 1029
20, Arrival of Governour Lord William Campbell
at Chariestown, South-Carolina, - - - 1030
20, Association adopted and signed by the Committees
of the District of Wilmington, in North-Caro-
lina, - - - ' - - - - 1030
20, Meeting of the Committee of Accomack Coun-
ty, Virginia; requiring Masters of all Vessels
bringing Goods for sale to bring certificates
that the Goods were imported agreeable to the
Continental Association, - 1031
20, Letter from General Washington to the Indepen-
dent Companies of Fairfax County, Virginia;
informing them of his appointment to the com-
mand of the Continental Army, - - - 1031
20, Letter from General Washington to John Au-
gustine Washington. Has been chosen to the
command of the Continental Army, by the
partiality of Congress, joined to a political
motive, and will set out to-morrow for Boston, 1031
20, Meeting of the Committee for the new County
proposed to be formed in Delaware, at Broad
Creek : bind themselves and constituents, by
every thing sacred, collectively and separately,
to enforce and carry into execution whatever
measures have or may be recommended, for
the preservation of the Liberties of America, - 10S2
20, Letter from Philadelphia to a Gentleman in Lon-
don. Two propositions which Congress intend
to make to the British Government, - - 1033
20, Letter from Philadelphia to a Gentleman in Lon-
don. Colonel George Washington is, at the
particular request of the People of New-Eng-
land, and with the unanimous consent of Con-
gress, appointed Commander-in-Chief of the
Continental Forces, - - - . . ]033
20, Letter from President Hancock to the New-
Hampshire Congress, enclosing a Resolve
passed yesterday for re-enforcing the Army
before Boston, ----.. 1034
20, Letter from the New-Hampshire Delegates at
Philadelphia to the Provincial Congress. The
greatest unanimity prevails in the Congress,
one and all being determined to defend our
rights to the last, ..... 1035
20, Letter from the New- York Congress to Govern-
our Trumbull, enclosing a Resolution of the
Continental Congress of the 16th instant. A
small supply of Gunpowder has been lately
received, and half a ton of it will be forward-
ed to General Wooster for the Provincial Army
at Boston, 1306
20, Letter from the Provincial Congress of New-
York to General Wooster, in reply to his
Letters of the 1 7th and 1 8th instant, - - 1307
20, Letter from Governour Trumbull to the Conti-
nental Congress. Has sent fifty barrels of
Powder with the greatest secrecy and despatch
to the American Army before Boston, and will
send ten barrels more, which is all that can be
supplied, as none can be obtained in the Colo-
ny, 1035
20, Letter irom a Gentleman in Providence, Rhode-
Island, to his friend in New- York. Account
of the Battle of Bunker's Hill on the 17th
instant, 1036
20, Meeting of the Governour and Committee of
War for Connecticut, .... 1039
20, Letter from the Massachusetts Congress to the
Continental Congress. Account of the Battle
of Bunker's Hill, 1039
xcnr
1775.
June20, Letter from the Massachusetts Congress to Gen-
eral Ward, 1041
20, Petition of the Selectmen of the Town of Town-
shend, in Massachusetts, to the Provincial
Congress. Are out of Powder, and ask for an
order on the Town of Ashby for one of the two
barrels they have, - - - - - 1 04 1
20, Letter from Richard Derby, Jun., to Capt. James
Kirk wood, 1041
20, Report of Edward Bucknam and Seth Wales, to
Colonels Bailey and Hurd, of the information
gained from the Indians on the Canada Fron-
tiers, by two Scouts, sent for that purpose, - 1041
21, Letter from the Secret Committee of South-Caro-
lina to Colonel Moultrie. Furnish him with
Powder for the two Regiments of Infantry.
Recommend to him the greatest caution and
prudence, and to permit no Soldier to stand
sentry over the Powder, but such as are known
friends to the Liberties of America, - - 1042
21, Deputation of the Provincial Congress of South-
Carolina, to present an Address to the Govern-
our, Lord William Campbell, ... 1043
Address and Declaration of the Provincial Con-
gress to the Governour, .... 1043
Answer of the Governour, ... - 1044
21, Provincial Congress of South-Carolina, to testify
their resentment of the base and cruel conduct
of the Inhabitants of Poole, a Seaport in the
English Channel, refuse to hold any commu-
nication with that People, or carry on any
transactions with them, or employ any shipping
belonging to that Port, or to any Inhabitant of
the place, ------ 1044
21, Committee of Observation for Frederick County,
Maryland. Committees of Correspondence
for each District in the County appointed.
Two Companies of Riflemen raised, in com-
pliance with a Resolution of the Continental
Congress; Officers of the Companies appoint-
ed, and their pay established, - - - 1044
21, Letter from the Provincial Congress to the Com-
mittee for the City and County of New- York,
requesting them immediately to purchase all
the Saltpetre in the City and County, and to
inform the Congress what quantity of Brim-
stone and Sulphur may be purchased in the
City, ------- 1310
.21, New- York Committee. Letter received, dated
May 30, from Jonathan Parsons, Jun., New-
foundland, informing of the arrival there of
the Ship Sally, Captain Tavemer, from this
Port, 1046
21, Inquiry by a Committee into facts of Captain
Tavemer' s Voyage, ----- 1046
21, Deposition of Theophilact Bache, that Captain
Tavemer was ordered to proceed directly to
Falmouth, or some other Port in Great Bri-
tain, and that he had no agency in causing the
Ship Sally to stop at Newfoundland, - - 1046
21, Petition of Joseph Johnson, a licensed Preacher
of the Gospel amongst seven different Tribes
of New-England Indians, and the Oneidas, to
the Provincial Congress of New- York, - 1047
21, Letter from a Gentleman in New- York to his
friend in Edinburgh, Scotland. It is a gross ca-
lumny to say we are aiming at Independency.
Our political principles are the same that raised
the House of Hanover to the Throne ; and were
your Ministers to adopt these principles we
would lay down our arms, ... 1047
21, Letter from the Albany, New- York, Committee,
to the Continental Congress. Certain inform-
ation received of the hostile intentions of Go-
vernour Carleton, who was daily giving pre-
sents to Caughuuwaga Indians, they having
agreed to take up the hatchet. The Troops
at Ticonderoga are much in want of Powder.
The Frontier Inhabitants are not half supplied
with Anns or Powder, and they request some
may be forwarded with all the despatch pos-
sible, - - - - - - •- 1048
21. Letter from Captain Chapman, an officer in
General Gage's Army at Boston, to a friend
in Ireland. The Army of the Rebels consists
of at least fifteen thousand, and is daily increas-
ing; the Pulpits and the Publick Meetings
breathe nothing but sedition ; the People are in
CONTENTS.
XtlV
1775.
the most slavish subjection to the Priests and
Demagogues; the Resolves of the Congress
are mostly inflammatory; they have tried and
passed sentence on several who have dared to
contravene their inquisitorial decrees ; their aim
is Independency, - - - - - 1 049
June 21, Petition to the Provincial Congress of Massa-
chusetts from seven Stockbridge Indians, sol-
diers enlisted in the Provincial Army, - - 104'.*
2 1 , Petition of Thomas Twining to the Massachusetts
Congress, in behalf of himself and the Asso-
ciation of Eastham, against Amos Knowles,
a Member of the Congress, who is charged
with being an opposer of the common cause
of the Country; with sundry accompanying
papers, 1050-1055
Report of a Committee on the complaint against
Captain Knowles, not accepted, - 1055
21, Letter from the Reverend Samuel Webster to the
New- Hampshire Committee of Safety, - 1056
22, Provincial Congress of South-Carolina, direct
Absentees to return to the Colony ; and forbid
persons holding Estates to withdraw from its
service, ------- 1056
22, Address to the People of Henrico County, Va., 1056
22, Letter from Samuel Adams to Elbridge Gerry, - 1058
22, Letter from General Charles Lee to Lord Bar-
rington, renouncing his Pay as an Officer in
the British Army, 1058
20, Letter from General Gates to General Washing-
ton, accepting his appointment, - - - 1058
22, Petition of William Elphinston to the New- York
Congress, ------ 1059
22, Letter from Elisha Phelps to the New- York
Congress. Has been appointed by Connecti-
cut Commissary for the Northern Army: has
arrived at Albany, and has been furnished
with no Supplies for the Troops, - - 1059
22, Letter from Weathersfield, in Connecticut, to a
Gentleman in Philadelphia. Account of the
Battle on the 17th instant. The People are
rejoiced to hear of the coming of General
Washington, and will receive him with open
arms, 1060
22, Letter to a Member of the Continental Congress,
from a Gentleman in Stockbridge, Massachu-
setts. Our Messengers to the Six Nations
were taken by the Regulars, carried to Mon-
treal, tried by a Court-Martial, and condemned
to be hanged, and were only released upon the
threatenings of the Indian Sachems to treat
them as enemies if they did not let the prison-
ers go, -
22, Letter from the Committee of Correspondence at
Plymouth to the Committee for Providence, -
22, Letter from General Ward to the Massachusetts
Congress. Thinks it is not proper to order a
Regiment from Roxbury to Cambridge, as re-
quested by the Congress, but if they order it
he will do so, ------ 1061
22, Letter from Benjamin Greenleaf to the Massa-
chusetts Congress. The Committee of Nevv-
buryport are unwilling to give up the little
Powder they have, as requested by the Con-
gress, unless the publick cause renders it abso-
lutely necessary, in which case they will give
up the last ounce, the destruction of their
Town being a trivial matter compared with
a final defeat of the Army, - 1062
22, Letter from Stephen Hooper to the Massachusetts
Congress, - -. - - - - 1062
22, Account of the Engagement on the 1 7th. Charles-
town set on fire by the British, contained about
three hundred Dwelling-Houscs, many of them
large and elegant, besides one hundred and fifty
or two hundred other Buildings, which are
almost all laid in ashes, - 1063
22, Letter from General Folsom to the New-Hamp-
shire Committee of Safety, ... 1063
23, Letter from the Committee for Charles City
County, Virginia, to the Committee and Free-
holders of Buckingham County, in reply to
lli.ir offer of an asylum for their Wives and
Children, if the lower Counties are attacked by
the enemy, - - - - - - 1064
23, Letter from the Albany Committee to the Massa-
chusetts Congress; they have received a vague
and uncertain account of the late Action at
1060
1061
1775.
CONTEiYTS.
xcvi
request to be furnished with a
ol 1 1 1 - Engagement, and
23,
23.
23.
town;
circumetantia
its conn quen
June So. Letter to Mr Holt. The County of Cumber-
land, in New- York, having been represented
as inimical to the bite Continental Congress
and the Provincial I |uested
to publish the Ptf of the General
Committee of that County, in October last. -
1>, of the Committees from a number
of Townships in the County of Cumberland,
held at the County Hall, at Westminster, on
the 19U> and 20th days of October, 1774,
•^3, Letter from Colon- 1 Arnold to the Continental
Congress. The opinion of the Committee
■ by Massachusetts, to inquire into the im-
portance of holding: Ticonderoga and Crown
Point, is, that if the Enemy had possession of
these Fortresses it would place the New-
England Colonies and New-York in the ut-
most danger, ------
Letter from Governour Trumbull to the Conti-
nental Congress, - • - - -
Letter from an Officer on board one of the King's
Ships, at Boston, to a friend in London. The
Engagement on the 17th lasted four hours, and
ended infinitely to our disadvantage. The
Americans, when we landed, so far from retreat-
ing, as we expected, marched towards us with
the greatest coolness and regularity. The
Provincials fought like men who had no care
for their persons, and disputed every inch of
ground, -------
Petition to the Massachusetts Congress, from the
Selectmen, Officers of the Militia, and Com-
mittee of Correspondence of Manchester. The
Town being greatly exposed to their merciless
enemies, they request permission to raise a
Company of Men on the Provincial establish-
ment, to be kept there for their security and
defence, -------
Letter from General Folsom to the New-Hamp-
shire Committee of Safety. Colonel Stark
refuses to be under any subordination to any
person appointed by the Congress of New-
Hampshire to the general command of the
New-Hampshire Troops,
Address of Colonel Bailey to the Northern In-
dians, -------
Meeting of the Livery of London, in Common
Hall. An humble Address, Remonstrance
and Petition to the King on this important
crisis in American affairs, ordered to be pre-
sented to His Majesty, sitting on his Throne,
July 4, Report of the Sheriffs who waited on the King to
know when he would permit the Lord Mayor,
Aldermen and Common Council to wait on
hiin with their Petition. The King refuses to
receive it on the Throne; and the Lord Mayor
refuses to present it to him in any other place.
The Petition ordered to be published, -
June 24, Humble Address, Remonstrance and Petition of
the Lord Mayor, Aldermen and Livery of
London to the King, -----
Letter to General Gage, -
Letter from President Hancock to the New-
York Congress. The Continental Congress
are of opinion that the employing of Green
Mountain Boys would be advantageous to the
common cause; they are requested to embody
them with the Troops raisi d for the defence of
the Northern Frontier, - - - .
Meeting of the General Committee of Observa-
tion (or the County of Burlington, New-Jer-
sey. Association and other Proceedings of the
Provincial Congress at Trenton approved of, -
Letter from < >• m ral Schuyler, New-Brunswick,
■Jersey, to thi irk Congress.
General Washington will be at Newark to-
morrow morning, at nine o'clock, where he
wishes to meet a Deputation of the Provincial
Congress, ---...
Letter from John Hait, Jun , Stamf rd, Connec-
ticut, to Dr. Carrington g an inter-
cepted Letter, dated New- York, June 19th, -
' Brother
in Scotland, giving him an account of the
Haul- with the Rebels on the 17th instant.
- 10G4
1064
- 10G5
23,
23,
24.
24,
24,
•-'4,
24.
24,
24,
1066
1067
1067
1068
- 1069
1070
1070
- 1071
1073
1074
1076
1077
1078
1078
- 1079
- 1080
1080
- 1081
1775.
The chief breastwork of the Provincials was
the strongest post that was ever occupied by
any set of men ; the spirit and bravery the
British Troops exhibited on the occasion is
not to bo surpassed in history. To the great
satisfaction of all good men, Dr. Warren was
slain, ------
June 24, Order by the Massachusetts Congress for ob-
serving Thursday, 13th of July, as a day of
Publick Fasting and Prayer throughout the
Colony, ------
24, Letter from General Ward to the Massachusetts
Congress. Lieutenant Francis Cox, of Salem,
has deserted the service, and told his men they
might go home, for no one had a right to stop
them ; many of the men are gone, and it is
probable others will go, - . - -
24, Letter from General Folsom to the New-Hamp-
shire Committee of Safety, for Cannon for the
Camp at Winter Hill. General Ward, who
has been applied to, cannot supply them,
25, Proposed vindication and offer to Parliament,
drawn up in a Committee of Congress, (by
Dr. Franklin,) 108 1
25, Letter from General Washington to the Ameri-
can Congress. One thousand pounds of Pow-
der were sent from New- York to the camp at
Cambridge, leaving at this time but four bar-
rels in the City of New- York, - - - 1084
25, General Washington's Orders and Instructions
to General Schuyler, appointed to the com-
mand of the Northern Department, - - 1084
25, Letter from General Washington to the Presi-
dent and Members of the Continental Con-
gress, 1085
25, Contradiction of the Statement made by Colonel
Easton to the Massachusetts Congress, on the
17th of May last, of the reduction of Ticon-
deroga, denying to Colonel Easton any partici-
pation in its capture, ----- 1085
25, Letter from Thaddeus Burr to General Wooster,
enclosing a Letter to him from Isaac Lothrop,
one of the Provincial Congress at Watertown,
dated June 22, giving an account of the action
on the 1 7th instant, 1089
25, Andrew Gilman appointed a Lieutenant by the
Massachusetts Congress, and instructed to visit
and cultivate a peaceable disposition with the
Indians, 1090
25, Letter from John Lane to the Massachusetts
Congress,- ------ 1090
25, Letter from the Massachusetts Congress to Go-
vernour Trumbull, for re-enforcements for the
Army, 1090
25, Letter from the Massachusetts Committee of
Safety to the Selectmen of Bradford. A Com-
pany of fifty Minute-Men enlisted in the Town
of Bradford, under Captain Gage, to serve for
one year from February, 1775, have all, except
two, scandalously deserted the cause of their
Country, and stained their own honour by
leaving the Camp and returning home, - 1091
25, Letter from General Folsom to the New-Hamp-
shire Committee of Safety, ... 1092
25, Letter from an Officer in the Army at Boston to
his friend in England, giving an account of the
Battle of Bunker's Hill, ... - 1093
25, Letter from General Burgoyne to Lord Stanley.
Account of the Battle of Bunker's Hill, - 1094
Litter to General Burgoyne: Strictures on his
Letter to Lord Stanley, - 1095
25, Letter from General Gage to the Earl of Dart-
mouth. The trials we have had show the
Rebels are not the despicable rabble too many
have supposed them to be : when they find cover
they make a good stand. The conquest of this
Country is not easy, and can be effected only
by time and perseverance and strong armies
attacking it in various quarters and dividing
their forces, ...... 1097
25, Letter from General Gage to the Earl of Dart-
mouth, with his account of the Battle of Bun-
ker's Hill, 1097
Return of the Officers, Non-Commissioned Offi-
cers and Privates Killed and Wounded of His
Majesty's Troops, at the attack of the Redoubts
and IntrenchmentB, on the Heights of Charles-
town, June 17, 1775, .... 1093
XCVII
1775.
CONTENTS.
XCVIII
1099
1101
1102
Observations on the Government account of the
late Action near Charlestown, ...
Further Observations, -
June 26, Message from the Governour of Grenada to the
House of Assembly, requiring that the Ad-
dress and Minutes of the House, in favour of
the rebellious subjects in America, be rescind-
«1, "
Message from the House to the Governour, in-
forming him an Address to the King had pass-
ed the House in consequence of an unanimous
Resolution for that purpose; it had been deli-
vered to the late Speaker, and is no longer in
the possession of the House, - - - 1102
Resolutions of the House refusing to comply
with the peremptory demands of the Govern-
our to rescind the Minutes, ... 1102
Proclamation of the Governour dissolving the
Assembly, - - - - - -1103
26, Meeting of sundry Gentlemen at Savannah, in
Georgia. Declare the Acts of Parliament, for
raising a Revenue in America, are grievances,
and they will do all they legally may to obtain
a redress of those grievances, - - - 1 103
26, Meeting of the Committee for Talbot County,
Maryland. Information of the arrival in the
Chesapeake Bay of the Ship Johnston, Cap-
tain Jones, from Liverpool, with Salt and Dry
Goods, - 1104
Report of the Sub- Committee who examined the
Ship Johnston, with a schedule of the Goods
on board, shipped by James Gildart and John
Gawith, of Liverpool, who are declared to
have violated the Association, ... 1104
26, Committee for the City and Liberties of Phila-
delphia. Resolve that Henry Cour and Nich-
olas Ashton, of Liverpool, have knowingly
violated the Association of the American Con-
gress, by shipping Salt to America in the Ship
Albion, and that the Ship and Cargo return to
Liverpool forthwith, ----- 1105
26, Letter from John Lamb to the New- York Con-
gress, - - - - - - -11 06
26, Letter from John French to the New- York
Congress. Cannot take his seat in Congress,
as it appears he was not elected by a majority, 1106
26, Letter from Robert R. Livingston to the New-
York Congress. His Powder Mill is in
operation, and will immediately begin making
the Powder, - 1106
26, Letter from Governour Trumbull to President
Hancock, - - - - - -1106
26, Letter from General Gage to Lord Dunmore, in-
forming him of his victory over the Rebels, on
the 17th, 1107
26, Letter from General Ward to the Massachusetts
Congress, ------ 1107
26, Letter from the Committee for Northfield, Mas-
sachusetts, to the Provincial Congress, - - 1108
26, Petition of the Committee of Correspondence for
the Town of Plymouth, Massachusetts, to the
Provincial Congress, ... - 1108
26, Letter from the New-Hampshire Committee of
Safety to General Folsom, - - - - 1 1 09
27, Letter from Governour Wright to General Gage.
The unhappy affair of the 19th of April, and
some late occurrences in South-Carolina, have
forced the People of Georgia into the same
predicament with others. He has neither Men
nor Money. The King's Officers, and friends
to Government are left naked, and exposed to
the resentment of an enraged People, - - 1109
Letter sent in place of the foregoing, (which was
intercepted and suppressed,) by the Secret
Committee of Charlestown, South-Carolina,
(Note,) 1110
27, Letter from Gov. Wright to Admiral Graves,
urging him to send a Sloop-of-War to Savan-
nah immediately; a Vessel with a quantity of
Gunpowder is expected, and Boats and Men
from South-Carolina are waiting to take her,
and he has no means to prevent it, - - 1 1 1 1
Letter substituted for the foregoing by the Secret
Committee of South-Carolina, (Note,) - - 1111
27. Letter from Charlestown, South-Carolina, to a
Gentleman in Philadelphia, enclosing Extracts
of Letters from the Superintendent and Agent
of Indian Affairs in Georgia, - - - 1 1 1 1
Fourth Series. — Vol. it.
1775.
June 27, Meeting of the Committee of Accomack Coun-
ty, Virginia. John Sherlock declared an ene-
my to American Liberty. Recantation of Mr.
Sherlock, m2
27, Committee for Bedford County, Virginia : offer
assistance and protection to such of the Inha-
bitants of the lower parts of the Colony as may
be obliged to quit their habitations, - - 1 1 13
27, Letter from President Hancock to the New- York
Congress, enclosing a List of the General Offi-
cers appointed to command the Continental
Forces, 1114
27, Letter from the New- York Congress to Govern-
our Trumbull. A Guard has been sent to
escort four Wagons loaded with Gunpowder,
from New-Jersey, for the Camp at Cambridge, 1114
27, Meeting of the Committee of Brookhaven, Suf-
folk County, New- York. Adopt the Reso-
lutions and determinations of the Continental
Congress, and the injunctions of the Provin-
cial Congress, and will abide by, adhere to,
and support them. Apologize for their past
conduct, in having so late come into the Con-
gressional measures, ----- 934
27, Letter from Thomas Hicks to the New- York
Congress, with his reasons for not taking his
seat in Congress, and account of the election
in Queen's County, where they decline for the
present to send Delegates, - - - - 1 1 1 4
27, Petition and Remonstrance of Hermann Zedt-
witz to the New- York Provincial Congress,
for permission to raise a Regiment of Rifle-
men, and appoint him to the command of it, - 1115
27, Letter from Elisha Phelps, at Ticonderoga, to
the Massachusetts Congress, - - - 1116
27, Letter from Governour Trumbull to the Massa-
chusetts Congress. Is informed by Colonel
Hinman, at Ticonderoga, that the British are
fortifying St. John's, and that the Caughnawaga
Indians have had a war-dance, being brought
to it by General Carleton, - - - - 1116
27, Meeting of the Committees of Inspection for the
Towns of Tiverton and Little Compton, R. I. - 1117
27, Letter from Governour Cooke to the Massachu-
setts Congress. Rhode-Island is about to fit
out two Armed Vessels for the protection of
their trade; a few Vessels, properly armed and
manned, would be a great means of protecting
the coast, and might enable us to make repri-
sals, 1118
27, Extracts of Letters received in Philadelphia, from
Gentlemen in the Army at Cambridge, - 1118
27, Letter from General Ward to the Massachusetts
Congress, recommending Col. William Hen-
shaw for Adjutant-General, - - - 1119
27, Letter from General Thomas to the Massachu-
setts Congress, with a request from the Select-
men of Boston that Provisions may be sent into
Boston for the American Prisoners taken on
the 1 7th, at Charlestown, - - - - 1119
27, Letter from Colonel David Brewer to the Massa-
chusetts Congress, - - - - - 1 1 19
27, Petition of the Officers of Colonels Prescott, Frye
and Bridge's Regiments, to the Massachusetts
Congress, praying an allowance for their losses
in the Battle on the 17th instant, - - - 1119
27, Letter from the Massachusetts Congress to the
Continental Congress. The Continental Army
before Boston are restrained from returning
the fire of the British, which is kept up daily,
lest by so doing they exhaust their little stock
of powder, and place them at the mercy of
their enemies. Nothing can so much merit the
immediate attention of the Congress as the
means of supplying this Army in the speediest
manner with Gunpowder, - - - 1 120
27, Letter from General Folsom to the New-Hamp-
shire Committee of Safety, - - - - 1121
27, Letter from the Portsmouth, New-Hampshire,
Committee, to the Massachusetts Committee
of Safety, enclosing an intercepted Letter from
Boston, 1122
27 Letter from the Committees of Hanover and
Lebanon to the New-Hampshire Congress. —
Mr. Dean has just arrived with important
intelligence from Canada, and will set out for
Philadelphia to-morrow, to lay it before the
Continental Congress, ... - 1540
1122
28,
1123
•J.-.
28,
28,
28,
28,
28,
28,
28,
28,
28,
28,
28,
29,
29,
1329
1124
- 1124
XCIX
1""5. . .
June 28, Meeting of the Committee of Observation tor
Ave Arundel County and City of Annapolis.
Forbid the landing of Goods imported in the
Shi]) Adventure, from London, -
Letter from Genera] Schuyler to the Continental
Congress. Two Regiments of Connecticut
Troops have arrived within two miles of New-
■> 9rk Reports prevail there that the Indians
have accepted the hatehet offered them by
( iiu.ral Carleton, and that considerable bodies
of them have been seen going to Montreal.
Eight Transports with Troops are now at
Bandy-Hook, ------
Lettec from the New-York Congress to their
1 tolegatee in the Continental Congress. Deeply
impressed with the necessity of an accommo-
dation with our Parent State, and conscious
that the best service we can render to the pre-
sent and all future generations must consist in
promoting it, we have laboured to point out
such moderate terms as may tend to reconcile
the unhappy differences ; and take the liberty
of enclosing the result of our deliberations, -
Letter from Peter T. Curtenius to the New- York
Congress, .-----
Letter from the Charlotte County, New- York,
Committee, to the Provincial Congress. Dis-
turbances in the County ; the People are dis-
satisfied with the order of Congress to remove
the Cannon from Ticonderoga, -
Address of the Inhabitants of the German Flats,
to the Oneida and Tuscarora Indians as-
sembled there, ------
Address of the English Merchants, of Quebeck,
to General Carleton ; offer their services to
protect the place, and request the Militia to be
embodied, ------
Letter from General Greene to Jacob Greene.
The late Battle. The present situation of both
Armies. The Rhode-Island Troops are raw,
irregular and undisciplined; yet, bad as they
are, they are under much better government
than any Troops around Boston, -
Letter from the Committee of Inspection for the
Town of Biddeford to the Massachusetts Con-
gress, -------
Letter from the Massachusetts Committee of
Safety to the Provincial Congress, protesting
against an Order sent to them by Gen. Ward, 1127
Letter from the Massachusetts Congress to the
Albany Committee, with a particular account
of the late Engagement with the enemies of
America, ......
Petition of the Inhabitants of Machias to the
Massachusetts Congress, praying for a supply
of Provisions, the situation of the times having'
prevented their procuring it,
Letter from the New-Hampshire Committee of
Safety to General Folsom,
Letter from the Rev. Dr. Wheelock to the New.
Hampshire Congress, with information of the
disposition of the Northern Indians towards
the Colonies, ....
Letter from the Hague. Orders have been given
by the States-General to their Admiral in the
West- Indies to seize and destroy all Ammuni-
tion, Stores and Provisions, found in any Ships
bound from any Dutch Settlements to any
Port in the English-American Colonies,
Letter from Charlestown to a Gentleman in Phi-
ladelphia. Charlestown has more the appear-
ance of a Garrison-Town than a Mart for
Trade. One Company keeps guard all day,
and two every night. The Tories in Georgia
are now no more : the Province is almost uni-
versally on the right side, and are about to
choose Delegates to the Congress,
Free Thoughts on the present Times and „
sures; addressed to the People of Virginia -
Philadelphia Committee direct that no Sheep he
killed under four years of age, in compliance
with the Resolves of the Provincial Convention
29, Letter from the New- York Congress to the Con-
tinental Congress, -
29, Letter from General Schuyler to the Continental
n ss. Some Oneida Indians, lately arrived
at Albany, have expressed a wish that the In-
dians should be called together there, - - 1133
CONTENTS.
1125
1125
- 1126
1127
1444
- 1128
- 1128
- 1541
1128
29,
29,
- 1129
1129
1132
- 1132
1775.
June 28, Letter from General Schuyhr, at New- York, to
Colonel Hinraan, commanding at Ticonderoga, 1 133
29, Letter from General Schuyler to the New- York
Congress. Proposes the Troops from Connect-
icut shall encamp this morning, and requests
Tints and other necessaries may be furnished
immediately, - - - - - - 1134
29, Letter from the' New- York Congress to Elisha
Phelps, Commissary to the Connecticut Troops
on Lake Champlain. Have made provision
for passing to him all the Provisions and Stop s
heretofore sent for the Troops at the Posts on
the Lake, 1332
29, Letter from the New- York Congress to the
Agents at Albany, directing them to deliver to
Mr. Phelps, the Commissary appointed by Go-
vernour Trumbull, all the Provisions and Ston s
in their hands, ----- 1332
29, Letter from Colonel Jacob Bay ley to the New-
York Congress. He has been chosen a Mem-
ber of the Provincial Congress, but cannot
attend, as they are apprehensive of an invasion
from Canada, - - - - - 1134
29, Association of the Inhabitants of Newtown, in
Fairfield County, Connecticut, adopted on the
13th of February, and signed by the Inhabi-
tants on the 12th of April, 1775, - -1135
29, Letter from Fort George, near Ticonderoga, to a
Gentleman in Hartford. It is generally be-
lieved that Carleton is making preparations to
come against us. Guy Johnson is doing all
he can to raise the Indians against us, - 1 135
30, Preparations for defence at Williamsburgh, Vir-
ginia, - - - - - - -1135
30, Address of the Committee of Cumberland Coun-
ty, Virginia, to the Inhabitants of the County, 1 136
30, Letter from one of the Virginia Delegates, at
Philadelphia, to a friend in Williamsburgh, - 1137
30, Letter to the New- York Congress, from their
Delegates in the Continental Congress, urging
them, by all means, to complete their levies
of Men without delay; the honour as well as
the interest of the Congress is much concerned
in the success of this measure ; Connecticut
boasts of having raised their Men in ten days, 1 137
30, Letter from General Schuyler, at New- York, to
the Continental Congress. In obedience to the
Resolutions of Congress, he will repair with-
out delay to Ticonderoga, and execute their
wishes with the utmost expedition and secrecy, 1 138
30, Letter from General Schuyler to the New- York
Congress. Has just received Despatches con-
taining matters of the utmost importance, and
wishes to meet a small Committee of their
body, to whom he will communicate such part
of his orders as become the subject of their
consideration, - - - - - -1139
30, Letter from General Schuyler to Governour
Trumbull. To enable him to carry into exe-
cution the orders of the Continental Congress,
supplies of Money and Ammunition are in-
dispensably necessary; he requests Connecti-
cut will send him fifteen or twenty thousand
Pounds of their Money, and all the Ammuni-
tion they can spare, for it cannot be had in
New- York, even in the smallest quantity, - 1139
30, Letter from Capt. John Lamb to the New- York
Congress, ------ 1140
30, Letter from Samuel Mott, at Fort George, to Go-
vernour Trumbull. Has been informed of the
extraordinary ill conduct of Col. Arnold, the
particulars of which have been sent by Col.
Hinman. Requests that Captain Niles, of
Norwich, a bold and able sea commander,
maybe commissioned to take command of one
of the Vessels on the Lake. Guy Johnson is
doing all in his power to stimulate the Indians
against us, - - - - - - 1140
30, Letter from General Ward to the Continental
Congress. Has received and accepts his ap-
pointment as a Major-General in the Ameri-
can Army. Hopes the appointments in Mas-
sachusetts, made by the Congress, of General
Officers, may not have a tendency to create
uneasiness; which ought, at this time, to be
carefully avoided, - - . . - 1140
30, Letter from General Ward to John Pigeon, Com-
missary-General, - - - - - 1141
CI
CONTENTS.
June 30, Letter from General Thomas to the Massachu-
setts Committee of Safety, - - - - 1 1 4 1
30, Letter from General Heath to the Massachusetts
Committee of Safety. Many of his Regiment
are without Arms ; requests they may be sup-
plied, 1141
30, Letter from the Committee of Safety for Massa-
chusetts to the Provincial Congress. Desire
to have a full knowledge of the emissions of
Bills lately made, before they consider the fur-
ther emission required by a Resolve of the
Provincial Congress, .... 1141
30, Letter from the Massachusetts Committee of Sup-
plies to the New-Hampshire Committee of
Safety, requesting them to forward some Can-
non they have, - - - - - 1142
30, Colonel John Fcnton declared an enemy to the
Liberties of America by the Congress of New-
Hampshire, and sent under guard to Head-
Quarters, 698
Eulogium sacred to the memory of the late Maj.
Gen. Warren, who fell, June 17, 1775, fighting
against the Ministerial Army at Boston, - 1142
RHODE-ISLAND ASSEMBLY.
May 3, Rliode- Island Assembly meet at Providence, - 1 143
List of the Members, 1143
Records of the Colony removed to Providence, - 1 1 45
Committee to prepare a Bill for regulating the
Army to be raised for the defence of the Co-
lony, 1145
Act for embodying, supplying and paying the
Army of Observation ordered to be raised for
the defence of the Colony, ... 1145
Committee of Safety authorized to receive and
distribute Arms, - - - - -1147
Committee of Safety appointed, - - - 1 1 47
Officers of the Army of Observation, - - 1147
Resolutions disqualifying Governour Wanton,
and authorizing the Lieutenant-Governour to
act as Governour, ..... 1149
Committee of Safety directed to make out the
account of the expenses of Raising and Equip-
ping the Army of Observation, and transmit
it to the Continental Congress, - - - 1150
Proceedings of the Assembly, relative to the Dis-
putes between Great Britain and the Colonies,
directed to be sent to the Assembly of Connect-
icut and Committee of New- York, - - 1 150
Pay to the Officers and Men of the Army of Ob-
servation, ...... H50
Embargo laid on all Provisions going out of the
Colony, 1151
Adjourn to second Monday in June, - - 1151
Jtt»el2,Meet according to adjournment, - - - 1151
List of the Members, 1151
Disqualification of Governour Wanton continued, 1 152
Deputy-Govemour requested to write to Captain
Wallace, Commander of His Majesty's Ship
Rose, now in the Harbour of Newport, and
demand of him the reason of his conduct to-
wards the Inhabitants of the Colony, - - 1152
Allowances to Soldiers in Camp, - - - 1152
Rules for regulating the Army of Observation,
raised by this Colony, - - - - 1152
Committee of Safely directed to fit out, with Arms
and Men, two Vessels, to protect the Trade of
the Colony, 1158
Officers appointed to command the Vessels, - 1158
Memorial of William Potter, of South-Kingston,
expressing his regret at having signed the Pro-
test, in April last, against the Act for raising
an Army of Observation, ... - 1158
The Memorial is considered satisfactory, and Mr.
Potter is reinstated in the favour of the As-
sembly, .------ 1159
Military Officers appointed, - - - - 1 159
Post-Offices established, Postmasters and Post-
Riders appointed, and Rates of Postage fixed, 1160
Tin Thousand Pounds in lawful money, Bills of
Credit, authorized, ..... H61
Officers chosen by the Light-Infantry Compa-
nies of Providence and Gloucester approved, 1161
Officers chosen by the Company of Scituate Hun-
ters, approved, ------ 1161
An Act to prevent Desertion from the Army of
Observation, 1161
1775.
Officers chosen by the Company of North-Pro-
vidence Rangers, approved, " - - -
The Deputy-Governour requested to transmit to
the Rhode- Island Delegates in the Continental
Congress a copy of the Proceedings of this
Assembly, ......
Adjourned to the third Monday in August next,
Juvu: 28, Meet again ; convened by the Lieut. Governour,
List of the Members of the Assembly,
Officers chosen to command the Pawtuxet Ran-
gers, approved, - - - - -
Six additional Companies authorized to be raised
and equipped ; two Companies to be added to
each of the Regiments now in the service of
this Colony, and encamped near Boston,
Ten Thousand Pounds in lawful money, Bills,
to be emitted for the pay and support of the
additional Companies, . . . -
An Act to repeal an Act entitled "An Act for
Regulating Appeals to His Majesty in Coun-
cil, in Great Britain," - -
Disqualification of Governour Wanton con-
tinued, -------
Army of Observation placed under the command
and direction of the Commander-in-Chief of
the combined American Army, stationed in the
Province of Massachusetts, ...
Deputy-Governour requested to write a Reply
to the Speech of the Oneida Indians to the
four New-England Colonies, ...
Committee appointed to take an account of the
Powder, Arms and Ammunition, as well pri-
vate as publick, in the Colony, ...
Committees of the several Towns requested to
collect Saltpetre, and forward it to the Provin-
cial Congress in New- York, -
Officers chosen to command the Providence Gre-
nadier Company, approved, ...
Officers appointed to command the six additional
Companies to the Army of Observation,
Act for enlisting one-fourth part of the Militia of
the Colony as Minute-Men, -
Adjourned to the third Monday in August,
21,
22,
23,
24,
PENNSYLVANIA ASSEMBLY.
June 19, Pennsylvania Assembly meet, ...
20, Message to the Governour, that they are ready
to proceed to any business he may have to lay
before them, ......
Answer of the Governour ; he has no business to
lay before the House, ....
Committee to prepare a bill for striking twenty-
two thousand Pounds in Bills of Credit, " -
Bill for striking Bills of Credit reported and
read, .......
Memorial from the Committee for the City and
Liberties of Philadelphia, requesting them to
appoint a Committee of Safety and Defence, -
Resolution of the Continental Congress of June
22, requesting Pennsylvania to raise two or
more Companies of Riflemen, presented to the
House, ...----
Petition from a number of the Officers of the As-
sociation in the City and Liberties of Philadel-
phia, concurring with the Petition and Memo-
rial from the Committee of the said City and
Liberties, presented yesterday, ...
Consideration of the Petition from the Committee
for Philadelphia resumed, - - - -
Committee appointed to consider of, and report to
the House, such measures as maybe expedient
for putting the City and Province into a state
of defence, ------
Message from the Governour, refusing his con-
sent "to the Bill entitled "An Act for the sup-
port of Government of this Province, and pay-
ment of the Publick Debt,"
Committee to prepare an Answer to the Message,
Resolves reported by the Committee on the De-
fence of the City and Province, considered and
agreed to by the House, -
Committee of Safety appointed, -
People conscientiously scrupulous of bearing
Arms recommended to assist the indigent As-
sociators, -------
Adjourned to Monday, the 18th of September
next, -------
27,
28,
30,
CII
- 1162
1162
1162
1162
1163
- 1163
1163
1163
1163
1164
1164
1164
1164
1164
1164
1165
1165
1168
1167
1167
1167
1168
1168
1168
1170
1170
1170
1170
1171
1171
1172
1173
1174
1174
cm
1775.
NEW-HAMPSHIRE 1IOISE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
June 12, House of Representatives of New-Hampshire
meet, ......
13, Refuse to receive the Members elected on the
King's Writ, for the Towns of Plymouth, < >r-
forrl, and Liin -
Answer of the House to the Governour's Speech,
Message from the (iovernour, adjourning the
House to Tuesday, the 1 1th of August next, -
NEW-HAMPSHIRE PROVINCIAL CONORE8S.
Ju w«27, The Congress meets according to adjournment,
Cannon to be sent to the Army at Medford,
28, Provincial and County Records at Portsmouth
removed to Exeter, -
29, Rules and Articles of War forMassachusetts.from
.\'.>. 1 to No. 53, inclusive, adopted for the
New-Hampshire Forces, ....
30, Justices of the several Courts recommended to
adjourn their respective Courts to the first day
of the next Term, till further advice of this
Congress, ------
Colonel John Fenton ordered to be confined in
the Jail at Exeter, and supported like a Gen-
tleman, at the expense of the Colony,
July 1, Colonel Fenton ordered to be sent to the Head-
Quarters of the New-Hampshire Forces,
Committee to prepare a Bill for an emission of a
further sum of Paper Notes, -
Committee to bring in a Plan to regulate the Mi-
litia of the Colony, -----
Committee to confer with the other New-Eng-
land Colonies, on the situation of Ticonderoga,
Crown Point, and Canada, and procure the
views of those Colonies relative to any Plan of
Operations in those parts, -
3, Publick Money in the hands of George Jaflrey,
Treasurer, delivered to a Committee of the
Congress, ......
Letter received from Dr. Wheelock, giving an
account of the state of matters in Canada, sent
by a Committee to the Massachusetts Congress,
4, Committee to prepare a Vote for establishing and
encouraging sundry Manufactures in the Co-
lony, .... ...
5, Receiver-General authorized to give his Notes
of Hand, on the faith of the Colony, for ten
thousand Pounds, - - - . .
Selectmen or Committee of each Town to take
an exact list of all the Fire-Artns fit for use in
their respective Towns and Parishes in the
Colony, .--....
7, Report of the Committee appointed to remove the
Publick Records, -----
Committee of Safety directed to write a Letter to
the Continental Congress, setting forth the situ-
ation of the Colony, the state of the Forces, &c.,
Adjourned to August 22, ....
CONTENTS.
civ
- 1175
117")
1175
1176
1179
1179
1179
1180
1180
1181
1181
1181
1181
1181
1181
1182
1182
1182
1184
1184
1186
1186
2,
HOUSE OF BURGESSES OF VIRGINIA.
June 1, House of Burgesses of Virginia meet at Wil-
liamsburgh, ......
Peyton Randolph chosen Speaker, ...
Speech of the Governour to the Council and
House of Burgesses,
Message from the Governour, communicating the
Joint Address of the Lords and Commons, on
the 7th of February, and His Majesty's An-
swer ; and also the Resolution of the House of
Commons of the 27th of the same month,
Address to the Governour ordered, and a Com-
mittee appointed to prepare it.
Journal of the Proceedings of the Congress held
£t i laWla> on th^ 5th dfty of September,
1774, laid before the House, . .
Proceedings of the Convention of Delegate for
the Counties and Corporations in the Colo™
of Virginia, held at Richmond Town in the
F-rT'y ?/ ,H™rica> 0l> the 20th day of March,
1775, laid before the House,
Address to the Governour, requesting him to
communicate to the House the number of
Militia lately drawn out into actual service in
defence of the Colony; and what Militia has
teen ordered out since the late Indian Expedi-
tion, and for what purposes, - - . .
1185
1186
1187
S,
1188
1188
1188
- 1188
1189
1775.
June 5, Answer of the Governour to the Address relative
to the Militia, - 1189
Address to the Governour in answer to his
Speech, - 1190
Committee to inspect the Publick Magazine in
this City, and inquire into the Stores belonging
to the same, - - - - - - 1 1 9 1
Petition of the Presbytery of Hanover, in behalf
of themselves and all the Presbyterians of
Virginia, and of all Protestant Dissenters else-
where, praying for equal liberties and advan-
tages with their fellow-subjects, - - - 1191
Journal of the Proceedings of the Congress con-
sidered, and unanimously approved, - - 1192
Proceedings of the Convention considered, and
unanimously approved, - - - - 1 193
Address of the Council to the Governour, - 1193
Governour's Answer, ----- 1193
6, Message from the Governour relative to the
Publick Magazine; and a paper referred to in
the Message, 1 193
The Gentlemen who were appointed to inspect
the Magazine directed to prepare an Answer
to the Message, - - - - - 1 194
Answer to the Governour's Message, - - 1194
Message from the Governour relative to the Gun-
powder which has been removed from the
Publick Magazine by His Excellency's order, 1 195
Message from the Council, with a copy of their
Proceedings upon a report relative to the Ma-
rines and Sailors belonging to His Majesty's
Ship the Fowey, 1 195
Captain James Innis, of the Williamsburgh Vo-
lunteers, requested to guard the Magazine, - 1 196
7, The Governour's Message, relative to the remo-
val of the Gunpowder from the Magazine,
considered, - - - - - -11 96
Committee appointed to prepare and present an
Address to the Governour, - - - - 1 196
Governour's Speech considered in Committee of
the Whole House, 1 196
Message from the Governour in answer to their
Address of this day, - - - - - 1197
Petition of Wm. Fleming presented to the House, 1 197
8, Petition of Abraham Field presented, - - 1197
Message from the Council, with a written Mes-
sage from the Governour, informing that, con-
sidering himself in danger of personal violence,
he had removed to a place of safety; and had
fixed his residence for the present on board His
Majesty's Ship the Fowey, lying at York, and
that for the transaction of all publick business,
access to him will be easy and safe, - - 1198
Message read, considered, and Committee ap-
pointed to prepare an Address in answer, - 1 198
Address to tire Governour, in answer to his Mes-
sage, - - - - - - - 1199
Sent to the Council for their concurrence, - - 1 199
Concurred in by the Council and amended to
make it a Joint Address, - - - - 1199
Committee appointed to present it, - - - 1 199
9, Governour's Speech considered in Committee of
the Whole, 1199
Mr. Cary reported from the Committee, that the
Address of yesterday had been presented to the
Governour on board the Fowey, and that he
was pleased to say he would take time to con-
sider it, and would return an answer in writing
after he had maturely deliberated upon its con-
tents, 1200
10, Governour's Speech considered in Committee of
the Whole, 1200
Resolution reported to the House, setting forth
the reasons why they cannot close with the
Resolution of the House of Commons of the
27th of February, (Lord North's,) - - 1200
Resolution agreed to, and a Committee appointed
to prepare an Address to the Governour upon it, 1202
Answer of the Governour to the Joint Address,
presented to him yesterday, - - - - 1202
Committee appointed to inquire into the causes of
the late Disturbances and Commotions, - 1204
12, Petition of the Community of Christians called
Menonites, praying they may have the same
liberty of affirming to the truth of any matter
as indulged to the People called Quakers. - 1204
Address to the Governour reported to the House
by the Committee, ..... 1204
cv CONTENTS.
1775.
Junel2, Address agreed to, and a Committee appointed to
present it, - - - - - - - 1 206
1 3, Report of the Committee appointed to inspect the
Magazine, 1206
Message to the Council, on securing the Arms
left in the Palace by the Governour, - - 1208
Petition of sundry persons of the Community of
Christians called Baptists, and other Protestant
Dissenters, ...... 1208
14, Petition of several persons in that part of the
County of Augusta which lies West of the
Alleghany Mountains, presented by Mr. Bland,
one. of the Delegates to the Continental Con-
gress, where it was first presented, - - 1208
Commissioners appointed to ratify the Treaty of
Peace between this Colony and the Indians, - 1209
Report of the Committee appointed to inquire
into the late Disturbances and Commotions, - 1209
15, Committee appointed to a Conference with the
Council, on the Message of the House relative
to the security of the publick Arms, - - 1216
Several Conferences on the subject of securing
the Arms, 1216
Committee appointed to join with a Committee of
the Council in preparing an Address to the
Governour, that he will consent to a removal
of the publick Arms to a more secure place, - 1217
House in Committee of the Whole on the Go-
vernour's Answer to the Joint Address of the
two Houses; the Report of the Committee ap-
pointed to inspect the Publick Magazine; the
Report of the Committee on the late Disturb-
ances and Commotions; and an extract of a
Letter from Lord Dunmore to Earl of Dart-
mouth, dated Williamsburgh, Dec'r 24, 1774, 1217
Resolution reported by the Committee of the
Whole, directing an Address to the Governour, 1217
Resolution agreed to, and Committee appointed to
prepare the Address, - - - - - 1218
Message to the Council, informing them that the
Locks of upwards of three hundred Guns, late-
ly in complete order in the Publick Magazine,
have been taken off"; and requesting them to
join in an Address to the Governour, desiring
him to direct the Locks to be returned to the
Magazine, ...... 1218
16, Mr. Cary reported to the House, that their Ad--
dress of Monday last, (the 12th instant,) had
been presented to the Governour, and had re-
ceived his Answer, - - - - - 1218
Answer of the Governour to the Address of
Monday, 1218
Address ordered to be presented to the Governour,
informing him the Publick Magazine is now
in a fit condition for the reception of Arms and
Ammunition, and requesting him to return the
Powder lately removed from thence by his
order, 1218
Committee to prepare the Address, - - - 1219
17, Committee appointed, on the 7th of June, to draw
up an Address to be presented to the Govern-
our, reported, ...... 1219
Address reported by the Committee agreed to,
and Committee appointed to present it, - - 1219
Council agree to address the Governour concern-
ing the Locks taken off" some of the Guns in
the Magazine, and Committee appointed to
prepare it, ...... 1220
Mr. Mercer reported, from the Committee ap-
pointed yesterday to draw up an Address to the
Governour, informing him the Publick Maga-
zine is now in a fit condition for the reception
of Arms and Ammunition, .... 1220
Address reported by Mr. Mercer agreed to, and
a Committee appointed to present it, - - 1221
Joint Address to the Governour, requesting him
to order the Publick Arms in the Palace may
be removed, during his absence, to the Publick
Magazine, 1221
19, Mr. Bland presented to the House copies of seve-
ral Resolutions of the Continental Congress,
passed on the 17th of May, on the 29th of May,
and on 2d of June, ..... 1221
Resolutions of the Congress approved of by the
House, and the several Committees in the Co-
lony for carrying into execution the Continen-
tal Association are requested to be vigilant in
seeing them strictly complied with, - - 1221
12^1
1231
- 1232
1232
CVI
1775.
June 19, Address to the Governour, reported by the Com-
mittee appointed on Thursday last, the 15th
instant, .......
Agreed to, and Committee appointed to present it,
20, Message from the Council, with a Paper which
they have received from the Governour, as his
Answer to the last Joint Address of the Coun-
cil and House, .....
Governour, in the Paper communicated, refuses
to give directions for the removal of the Arms
from the Palace, and directs that they remain
there, and on no account be touched without
his express permission, ....
Mr. Cary reported that the Joint Address of Sa-
turday last, (June 17,) and the two Addresses
of this House of the same day, and the Address
of yesterday, had been severally presented to
the Governour, who directed him to acquaint
the House he had sent his Answer to the first
to the Council, and delivered him two Papers
in answer to the second and third Addresses, - 1232
21, Papers sent by the Governour, in answer to the
Joint Address and to the Addresses of this
House, taken into consideration, - - - 1233
Conference desired with the Council, on the state
of the Colony, and on the subject-matter of the
Governour's Message in answer to the Joint
Address of the Council and House, - - 1233
Conference agreed to by the Coancil, - - 1233
Committee appointed to manage the Conference
on the part of the House, ... - 1233
Instructions to Committee appointed to manage
the Conference, 1233
Address to the Governour agreed upon in Con-
ference, -...-.- 1234
Agreed to by the House, and Committee appoint-
ed to present it, ..... 1235
22, Answer of the Governour to the Joint Address of
yesterday, ...... 1236
Message from the Governour to the House, by
the Attorney-General, on the Bills and Re-
solves passed by the House, ... 1237
Address of the House in answer to the Message, 1237
24, Answer of the Governour to the Address, - 1239
Considered by the House in Committee of the
Whole, 1239
Resolutions, reported by the Committee of the
Whole, and agreed to by the House, - - 1239
Commissioners appointed to meet the Chiefs of
the Ohio Indians, to confirm and ratify a Treaty
of Peace with them, ----- 1240
Commissioners appointed to settle the Accounts
of the Militia for their services and losses in the
late Indian war, ..... 1240
Adjourned to the 12th of October next, - - 1241
NEW-YORK PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
May 22, The Congress assembled at the Exchange, in
New- York, 1241-1348
23, List of the Deputies from the several Counties, 1241
Rules of the Congress adopted, ... 1243
Moved by Mr. Low, and consideration postponed,
that implicit obedience ought to be paid to all
General Regulations recommended by the Con-
tinental Congress; but that this Congress is
competent to determine on all matters relative
to the internal police of the Colony, - - 1244
Resolution of the Continental Congress of May
18th, relative to Ticonderoga, presented, - 1245
Committee appointed to report the best method of
carrying it into execution, ... 1245
All the Ministers in the City, who can pray in
English, requested to make arrangements for
opening the Congress with Prayer, - - 1245
24, Report of the Committee on the Resolution of the
Continental Congress relative to Ticonderoga, 1246
Committee appointed to superintend the removal
of the Cannon and Stores from Ticonderoga
to Fort George, ... - 1247
Letter from a Committee of the House of Repre-
sentatives of Connecticut, appointed to confer
with this Colony, - - - - 1247
Gentlemen from Connecticut introduced, their
Credentials read, and a Committee appointed
to confer with them, 1247
Committee to consider the expense and means
of raising Money, to defray the expense of
CVII
17 7.").
removing the Cannon and Stores from Ticon-
( ONTENTS.
1775.
rernour of Connecticut, inform-
imn of what they have done relative to
- -
Committee to prepare a Letter and Instructions
to thi for removing the Cannon and
Stores from Ticonderoga, -
Committee appouiled' to confer with the Gentle-
men from Connecticut, on their written re-
12-18
1248
1248
25,
qm >t,
Arrangement of the Clergy of New- York, to
open the Congress with Prayer every morn-
ing. ..----
Report of the Committee after their Conference,
Motion rejected, that the Letter to the Go-
vernour of Connecticut be withheld, and the
subject-matter thereof reconsidered,
Letter to the Agents for removing the Cannon
and Stores from Ticonderoga, -
Instructions to the Agents, - - - -
The Congress recommend to all persons not to
commit any hostilities against the People of
Canada, and declare every such step infamous,
and highly inimical to all the American Colo-
- 1250
1250
1250
- 1250
1251
1251
mes,
- 1253
27,
29,
- 1253
1254
- 1254
1254
- 1255
- 125G
1257
1257
- 1258
1259
Motion made, and consideration postponed, that
this Congress do fully approve of the Proceed'
ings of the late Continental Congress,
26, Committee of Correspondence appointed, and in-
structed to inform the People of Canada that
nothing hostile is intended against them,
Letter to the Committee of Safety for Massachu-
setts, and the Committee of Correspondence for
New-Hampshire, ....
Committee appointed to consider the expediency
of emitting a Continental Paper Currency, -
Letter to the Delegates representing this Colony
in the Continental Congress,
Propositions and requests of Capt. Asa Douglass, 1255
Members of the Congress desired to sign the As-
sociation, .....
Letter from Abraham Lott, for information
whether he is authorized to supply the Ship
Asia with Provisions: permission given,
Committee on Continental Paper Currency re-
port; to be considered on Tuesday next,
Letter from the Provincial Congress of New- Jer-
sey, dated May 26, ...
Letter from President Hancock, dated May 26,
with Resolves of the Continental Congress of
May 25, respecting the measures they conceive
necessary for the defence and safety of the City
and Province of New- York, ...
Letter to the Provincial Congress of New- Jersey, 1260
Letter to the Delegates in the Continental Con-
gress, 1260
Recommendation to the several Counties to ap-
point Committees to obtain the signatures of
all the Inhabitants to the Association, and to
report the Names of those who refuse to sign, 1261
Letter to the Counties, enclosing the foregoing
Recommendation, -
30, Report of the Committee on the Continental
Paper Currency, .....
Agreed to unanimously by the House, and a copy
directed to be transmitted to the Delegates of the
Colony in the Continental Congress,
Letter to the Delegates in Continental Congress,
enclosing the Report on Paper Currency,
Committee to examine the Ground at or near
King's Bridge, to ascertain if it will admit of
making a Fortification there that will be ten-
able, .....
Committee to go to the Highlands, and report the
most proper place for erecting one or more
Fortifications, ---.._
Motion by Mr. Kissam, that a Committee be ap-
pointed to prepare and state the terms on w liirh
a reconciliation may be tendered to I
Britain, -
31, Inhabitants of the Colony recommended to fur-
nish themselves with Anna ami Ammunition,
Commit; a„ arrangement of the
Troop* to lied for the defence of this
Colonv, -----..
June 1, Letter to thi tea of the Colony in the
Continental Congress. - - - . i
1261
1262
1264
1264
- 1265
1265
1265
1-207
1267
2,
3,
6,
6,
cvnr
t to Sub-Committee of the City of Albany, 1 269
Mr. Kissam, with leave of the Congress, withdrew
his motion of the 30th of May, - - - 1269
Committee of Correspondence reported a Litter
to the People of Canada, which was read and
approved, ...... 1270
Fifteen hundred copies of the Letter in French,
and live hundred in English, ordered to !»■
printed and distributed among the People of
Canada, - 1270
Motion by Mr. Kissam, that a Committee be ap-
pointed to prepare a Plan of Accommodation
between (ireat Britain and the Colonies, - 1271
Debated and adopted: affirmative seven Coun-
ties, negative four Counties, ... 1271
Committee to prepare the Plan of Accommoda-
tion, 1271
Letter from President Hancock, dated May 31,
enclosing a Resolution of the same day, re-
questing the Governour of Connecticut to send
a strong re-enforcement to Crown Point and
Ticonderoga, 1271
Peter T. Curtenius appointed Commissary to
supply the Northern Posts ; and the Members
of the Congress become responsible to him for
the disbursements he may make, - - 1272
Letter from James Rivington, Printer, received
and read, and the consideration of it deferred, 1274
Recommendation to the Inhabitants of the City
not to obstruct the embarkation of the British
Troops, 1274
Letter to Inhabitants of Tryon County, - - 1274
Letter to Colonel Guy Johnson, ... 1275
Letter from the Committee at Albany, dated June
2, 1775, 1276
Letter to the Governour and Company of Con-
necticut, 1277
Letter to the New- York Delegates at the Conti-
nental Congress, on the subject of erecting a
Fortification at King's Bridge, - - - 1278
Report of the Committee who viewed the Grounds
at King's Bridge, and places adjacent, - 1279
Colonel Philip Schuyler recommended to the
Continental Congress as a Major-General, and
Richard Montgomery as a Brigadier-General, 1280
Letter to the Committee of Albany, - - 1280
Letter to the Delegates of this Colony in the
Continental Congress, calling their attention to
the necessity of immediately providing Mo-
ney ; recommend the appointment of a Conti-
nental Superintendent of Indian Affairs; and
leave to the wisdom of the Continental Con-
gress the appointment of a General, - - 1 28 1
Letter to the Delegates in Continental Congress,
recommending Colonel Schuyler for Major-
General, and Captain Montgomery for Briga-
dier-General, -...'.. 1282
Any attempt to raise tumults, under pretext of a
doubtful interpretation of the Resolves or Re-
commendation of the Congress, is declared to
be a high infraction of the General Association,
and tending directly to the dissolution of this
Congress, - 1282
Letter to the Committee of Safety for Massachu-
setts, 1283
James Rivington having signed the General As-
sociation, and asked pardon of the publick, who
have been offended by his ill-judged publica-
tions, is permitted to return to his house and
family, 1284
Letter to Artemas Ward, General of the Massa-
chusetts Army, Joseph Warren, Chairman of
the Committee of Safety, and Moses Gill,
Chairman of the Committee of Supplies, - 1285
The late seizure of the Military Stores belonging
to the Crown, at Turtle Bay, is a direct viola-
tion of the Continental Order of the loth of
.May; is inimical to the true interest of the Colo-
nies, and tends to involve this City in the utmost
confusion and distress, .... 1285
Committee appointed to repair to Turtle Bay,
and inform the persons assembled there of tlie
opinion of this Congress, and to order them to
desist from the further execution of their inten-
tions, |285
Motion by Mr. Scott, to dismantle the Fort and
secure the Cannon, rejected: affirmative five
Counties; negative five Coun . . 1286
CIX
1775.
Jiuie'J, Secret Committee appointed to examine what
ijnnntity of Saltpetre is in the hands of the
Apothecaries in this City, ... - 1287
Committee to estimate and report the quantity of
every article necessary for eqiupping three
thousand Men, 1287
Letter to the Commander-in-Chief at Ticondero-
ga, informing him that the damaged Powder
there may be sent to the Mill erected near the
iast side of Hudson's River, in Rhynbeck Pre-
cinct, in Dutchess County, ... 1288
Litter to the Commissioners at Albany, appointed
to superintend the removal of the Cannon and
Stores from Tieonderoga and Crown Point, - 1288
Bounty of five Pounds given for every hundred
weight of Gunpowder manufactured within the
Colony, and a Bounty of twenty Pounds for
every hundred good Muskets so manufac-
tured, - 1288
Motion by Mr. T red well, to take the advice of the
Continental Congress relative to dismantling
the Fort, declared to be the same in substance
with a motion made, voted on, and carried in the
negative, yesterday: affirmative six Counties,
negative four Counties, .... 1288
10, Powder received from Elizabethtown, in New-
Jersey, committed to Mr. McDougull, to be
forwarded to the Massachusetts Army, - - 1290
The Mayor of the City informed the Congress
that application had been made to him respect-
ing some Arms taken out of the Baggage
Carts of the Troops lately embarking from
this City, 1290
Motion by Mr. Morris, that the Arms and Mili-
tary Accoutrements taken from His Majesty's
Troops on Tuesday last be restored, and that
every Inhabitant of the Colony who is possess-
ed of any, immediately deliver them to the
Mayor of New- York : carried in the Affirma-
tive: for the affirmative, eight Counties; for
the negative, two Counties, ... 1290
Case of Robert and John Murray considered, and
they are fully restored to their commercial
privileges, and declared to be entitled to the
forgiveness of the Publick, ... 1291
Copy of the Report of the Committee appointed
to ascertain the most proper place for erecting
a Fortification in the Highlands, ordered to be
sent to the Delegates in the Continental Con-
gress, ....... 1291
12, Letter from the Delegates of the Colony, dated
Philadelphia, June 10, 1292
Letter from the Continental Congress, dated June
10, with a Resolution of the 9th, requesting
New- York to forward to the Camp before Bos-
ton five thousand barrels of Flour, for the use
of the Continental Army, .... 1293
Committee appointed to purchase and forward the
Flour without delay, 1293
Letter to the Merchants of Canada. They agree
to the proposition for the establishment of a
regular Post between Montreal and New-
York ; and disavow in the strongest terms the
intention attributed to them, that the Confede-
rated Colonies on this Continent aim at Inde-
pendence, ------- 1294
13, Letter to the New- York Delegates, respecting
the establishment of a Post in the Highlands, 1295
Report ol the Committee on the .most proper
place for a Post in the Highlands, - - 1295
Committee to agree with any person in the City
for importing, without delay, any quantity of
Gunpowder, not exceeding thirty tons, allow-
ing the importer one hundred per cent, on the
first cost, - - - ' - - - 1296
14, Mr. McDougall appointed by the Congress to
seize one Angus McDonald, who is charged
with giving a Bounty and enlisting Men, to be
employed against the Liberties of this Country, 1297
Information given by Capt. Thompson of Troops
coming to America, ----- 1297
Letter to the Governour of Connecticut, with the
above information, ----- 1297
William Duer complains of sundry insinuations
against his conduct, with relation to the North-
ern Frontier of this Colony, and prays a Com-
mittee may be appointed to inquire into his
conduct, 1298
CONTENTS.
cx
1775.
June I 4, Committee appointed to hear and examine into
the case of Mr. Duer, .... 1298
Angus McDonald brought before the Congress:
and being examined, be confessed that he hail
taken the names of opwards of forty men, and
- also confessed sundry other matters, - - 1298
Deposition of Angus McDonald, voluntarily
given, setting forth the circumstances under
which he engaged in this business, on the sug-
gestion of Major Small, in Boston, - - 1298
Committee appointed to arrest Captain Alexander
McDonald, now or late of Richmond County, 1299
Angus McDonald sent a Prisoner to General
Wooster's Camp, 1299
Letter to General Wooster, requesting him to
take charge of, and secure Angus McDonald, 1299
Motion by Mr. Foster, that General Wooster be
requested to march, with the Troops under
his command, to the distance of five miles of
this City, 1300
15, Report on the case of William Duer. Insinua-
tions against him entirely groundless, - - 1300
Letter to General Wooster, requesting him to
march his Troops to this Colony, - - 1300
Petition from Ebenezer Hazard, requesting to
be appointed Postmaster, - - - - 1301
Letter from Wm. Goddard, on the same subject, 1301
16, Letter to Robert Boyd, of New- Windsor, on the
subject of making Gun-Barrels, - - - 1302
17, Letter to General Wooster, informing him they
have received information that the Transports,
with Troops for New- York, have been order-
ed for Boston, 1304
Committee appointed to prepare a Plan of Ac-
commodation between Great Britain and the
Colonies, directed to bring in their Report on
Wednesday next, 1304
20, Letter from James Dunne, dated Philadelphia,
June 17, with a Resolution of Congress of the
16th, requesting the march of Troops from
Connecticut to New- York, - - - 1305
Two Letters from Gen. Wooster, dated Green-
wich, June 17 and June 18, - - - 1306
Letter to Governour Trumbull, ... 1306
Letter to General Wooster, - - - - 1 307
Letter from the President of the Continental Con-
gress, dated Philadelphia, June 12, with Re-
solves of Congress of the 10th instant, - 1307
Abraham Lott authorized to supply Captain
Vandeput. and His Majesty's Ship Asia, with
necessaries from time to time, ... 1307
Recommendatory Passport to Brook Watson and
his suite, 1307
Motion by Mr. Verplanck, for advancing Money
to Messrs. Van Vleeck and Kipp, and allow-
ing a bounty on Saltpetre manufactured in the
Colony, rejected: affirmative, four Counties;
negative, eight Counties, .... 1308
21, Letter from the Rev. Samuel Kirkland, Mission-
ary among the Oneida Indians, dated Cherry
Valley, June 9, to the Committee of Albany, - 1309
Committee appointed to consider of such mea-
sures as may be proper, with respect to the
Oneidas and other Indian Nations, -■ - 1310
Committee appointed to consider on the best me-
thods to carry into effect the Resolve of the
Continental Congress, with relation to Salt-
petre and Sulphur, - - - - - 1310
Mr. McDougall reports the whole quantity of
Saltpetre now in Town amounts to two hun-
dred and eighty-five pounds, ...
Letter to the Committee of the City of New-
York, - - - - -
Committee for preparing a draught of the senti-
ments of this Congress on the terms of a Re-
conciliation with Great Britain, indulged till
to-morrow morning, - - -
22, Passport for Mr. Joseph Johnson and his Indian
companions, ......
Deputies erected to represent Queen's County
requested to take their seats on Tuesday
next, or assign their reasons for neglecting to
attend, - - 1312
Committee appointed to report the subject-mat-
ter of a proper Plan of Accommodation with
( ireat Britain, reported, .... 1312
Report to be considered on Saturday morning
next, 1312
1310
1310
1311
1311
CONTENTS.
cxn
1312
1312
1313
- 1313
- 1313
1314
- 1314
- 1315
CXI
Vssociation returned from Easthnmpton, in Suf-
folk Coimtv. signed by every Male Inhabitant
capable of bearing Ann*, - - -
Homo by Mi McDoag&ll, thai &e Troops to
be raised in this Colony, be clothed in Uni-
form, - '
23, Inhabitants of this Colony directed not to kill any
lb until the first day of November next, -
Motion by Mr. Morris, that no Sheep be killed
until the first dav of November next, ■
Motion by Mr. McDowell, to recognise the ap-
pointment of the Dejegatea to the Continen
tal Congress, unanimously approved of,
Colonel Lash n directed to' have his Battalion
ready to receive General Washington, when
he shall arrive, -
Committee appointed to make an arrangement
of the Troops to be raised in the Colony, re
ported, -----'
24, Consideration of the Report of the Committee on
the subject-matter of a Plan of Accommodation
with Great Britain resumed, read through by
paragraphs, and amended, -
Motion by Mr. Melancton Smith, for an addition
to the Report for securing the liberty of con-
science, read, amended, and adopted, - -1317
Motion by Mr. McDougall, that the Plan of Ac-
commodation be not transmitted to the Con-
gress until called for by them, or by our Dele-
gates there, ...... 1318
25, Committee appointed to meet General Washing-
ton at Newark, and accompany him to this
City, 1318
Information being received that Governour Tryon
is at the Hook, Colonel Lasher directed to
send one Company to Paulus Hook, to meet
the Generals; to keep one Company at the
Ferry for the same purpose; and that he have
the residue of his Battalion ready to receive
either the General or Go vernourTryon, which-
ever shall arrive first, and to wait on both as
well as circumstances will allow, - - 1318
Letter from the Provincial Congress of Massa-
chusetts, dated Watertown, June 13, - - 1319
Letter from the Committee at Aibany, dated June
21, expressing their apprehension that Go-
vernour Carleton has induced the Indians to
take up arms, - - - - - -1319
26, Address of the Congress to General Washing-
ton, 1321
Answer of General Washington to the Address, 1322
Report of the Committee of Arrangement further
considered, ...... 1322
27, Letter from the Committee of Intelligence for
Charlestown, South-Carolina, dated June 6, - 1323
Letter from General Gage to Governour Martin,
dated Boston, April 12, enclosed in the pre-
ceding Letter, - 1324
Warrant to such Gentlemen as are intended to
be Officers of the Troops raised in this Colony, 1324
Instructions to the Officers to be employed in
raising Troops, ..... 1325
Report of the Committee on the subject-matter
of a Plan of Accommodation with Great Bri-
tain resumed, further amended, and agreed to, 1326
Plan of Accommodation between Great Britain
and America, .--... 1326
28, Members from Queen's County to take their seats,
notwithstanding a number of the Inhabitants
of the County have refused to be represented
in the Congress, ..... 1328
Letter to the Delegates of this Colony at the
Continental Congress, to accompany the Plan
of Accommodation with Great Britain, - 1329
Letter to John Alsop, at Philadelphia, requesting
him to procure two thousand eight hundred
and fifty-two Blankets; they are not to be
purchased in New- York, - 1330
29, Application by the Mayor for permission to Fran-
cis Stephens, the King's Store-Keeper, to re-
move the Stores from Turtle Bay, - . 1331
General Schuyler is authorized to send a Guard
to protect the Stores, provided they are placed
in his possession, - - - - - 1331
Killing Lambs prohibited until the first of August
next, ' .
Letter to the Continental Congress, enclosing the
Letter of the 6th of June, from the Committee
it;
Charlestown, South-Caro-
1331
of Intelligence in
lina,
Jkhc 29, Letter to Elisha Phelps, Commissary of Provi-
sions, at Ticonderoga, . - - -
Letter to John N. Bleecker, one of the agents at
Albany, -
Mr. Lett authorized to supply Provisions to his
Majesty's Ship Kingfisher, ...
30, Field-Ofncers of the First, or New- York Regi-
ment, appointed,
Committee 10 meet and confer with (.{en. Schuyler,
Field-Officers of the Second and Third Regi-
ments appointed, - - - -
Report of the Committee appointed to confer with
General Schuyler,
Field-Officers of the Fourth Regiment appoint-
ed,
Committee to form and determine the rank of the
Captains and inferiour Officers of the several
Regiments,
My 1, Committee to meet and confer with Ethan Allen
and Seth Warner, - - - -
3, Letter to the Committee of the City of Albany,
with fifty quarter-easks of Gunpowder for the
Forts at Crown Point and Ticonderoga,
4, Letter from General Schuyler, dated New- York
July 3, -
Uniform Coats ordered to be made for all the
Non-Commissioned Officers and Men to be
raised in the Colony, - - - - -
Report of a Committee appointed to confer with
General Schuyler on the subject of his Letter,
received this day,
Motion by Mr. Sears, that Ethan Allen be per-
mitted to have an audience, agreed to . affirma-
tive nine Counties, negative three Counties, -
Ethan Allen and Seth Warner were admitted
and heard, ......
Five hundred Men, of those called Green-Moun-
tain Boys, ordered to be forthwith raised,
Letter from General Schuyler, dated this day, -
5, Congress being informed that the Corporation of
the City of New-York intends to address the
Governour, declare it to be improper for the
Corporation, or any other body corporate, or
individuals in the Colony, to address his Ex-
cellency at this critical juncture,
Officers of the Artillery Company of the Marine
Society appointed, .....
British Vessels not permitted to load any Provi
sions,
6, Committee appointed to convene all the Black-
smiths in Town, to ascertain if they can make
Gun-Barrels, Bayonets, and Iron Ramrods, -
Mr. Van Zandt authorized to contract for two
thousand Gun-Locks, ....
Committee appointed to write to Great Britain
for four complete sets of Locksmiths, to make
Gun Locks,
Bounty to Soldiers who enlist in the Continental
Army, - - - - -
Motion by Mr. Morris, to reconsider the Resolve
of yesterday, to prevent any Address being de-
livered to his Excellency Governour Tryon,
Debated and rejected: affirmative four Counties,
negative eight Counties,
Letter from Charles Thomson, dated Philadel-
phia, July 4, enclosing an intercepted Letter
from Governour Martin to Henry White, dated
Cape-Fear, June 13, 1775, . . .
7, Committee appointed to wait on Mr. White,
Letter from General Wooster, dated Camp near
New- York, July 7,
Report of the Committee appointed to wait on
Mr. White,
Committee appointed to form a proper method for
an arrangement of the Militia of the Colony,
Committee appointed to receive information of the
state of Cumberland County, -
Letter from Henry White, dated this day, in re-
lation to the intercepted Letter to him from
Governour Martin, -
Letter to Charles Thomson, enclosing to him a
copy of the Letter of Mr. White
Committee of Safety appointed to sit during the
recess of the Congress, -
Instructions to the Committee of Safety, -
Adjourned to Tuesday, July 25th,
- 1331
1-
- 1332
tt
- 1332
1333
1334
1334
1334
- 1334
1335
- 1335
1336
1336
- 1337
1338
- 1338
1338
1339
1339
1339
- 1341
1341
- 1341
1342
1342
- 1342
1342
1342
- 1343
1344
1344
1345
1345
1345
1345
1346
- 1346
1347
1348
1348
1353
1354
16,
17,
- 1354
1354
1354
1354
1354
1354
1355
1355
- 1355
1355
1355
- 1355
24,
25,
26,
27,
28,
29,
30,
6,
cxm CONTENTS.
1775.
MASSACHUSETTS COMMITTEE OF SAFETV.
May 31, Meet by adjournment at Watertown, - - 1347
June 1, Returns required of the Men now in Camp, - 1347
2, The New-England Army, proposed to be raised
for the defence and security of the lives, liberties
and properties of the Americans, amounts to
but twenty-four thousand five hundred Men,
whereas thirty thousand were supposed neces-
sary ; the Provincial Congress is requested to
state whether they will make any addition to
their establishment, - 1348
9, Letter to the Provincial Congress on the applica-
tion of Colonel Paul Dudley Sergeant, late of
New-Hampshire, .-"... 1349
10, Return sent to the Provincial Congress, of the
Gentlemen who have been commissioned, or
that have received any encouragement for
Commissions, ------ 1350
13, An attack on our Army near Boston, by General
Gage, being daily expected to be made, the
General is directed to ascertain the condition
of every Regiment, ----- 1352
Debates and determinations of the Committee
required to be kept a profound secret, - - 1352
Attention of Congress called to the destruction of
the property of Refugees, - - - - 1352
Sufferings of the Troops for want of Barracks
or Tents. 1352
14, Braintree, Hingham and Weymouth authorized
to raise Men for the defence of the Sea-Coast
of the Town, 1352
15, Allowance for Provisions for Soldiers in the
Massachusetts Army, .... 1353
Re-enforcements to General Gage's Army; his
very extraordinary Proclamation, declaring
the Inhabitants of Massachusetts-Bay Rebels,
and other movements of Mr. Gage, are evi-
dences of his intention soon to make another
attempt to penetrate into the country, -
The Army should be augmented immediately;
all the Soldiers supplied with Arms; and all
the Militia of the Colony held in readiness to
march on the shortest notice, ...
Bunker's Hill to be maintained by a sufficient
force being posted there, and a hill on Dor-
chester Neck to be secured,
Committee to consult with the Council of War
and General Officers on matters of importance,
and to inform them of the Resolve of this
Committee respecting Bunker's Hill and Dor-
chester Neck, ---...
Committee to inquire whether Houses or Tents
can be obtained for Troops that want cover, -
Field-Officers for Colonel Gridley's Regiment,
Orders to the Towns in the vicinity of Boston to
send their Town stocks of Powder to Water-
town, ----...
Four Horses required for the Committee, as the
firing on the Colony Troops requires quick
intelligence from the scene of action,
Provision made to prevent the spreading of the
Small-Pox in the Army, -
18, Militia of the neighbouring Towns ordered to
march forthwith to Cambridge, - - .
Order for their march countermanded; but are
required to be in readiness to give assistance
when called upon, ....
Town of Waltham required to send their Town
stock of Powder to Watertown, -
19, Hospitals provided for the Colony Army, -
Officers for a Company of Artificers in the
Regiment of Artillery, ...
Congress requested to order the Selectmen of the
several Towns in the Colony to collect and
transmit the names of the persons killed or
wounded on the nineteenth day of April, and
at any time since, or that may hereafter be
killed or wounded in the unnatural contest
between Great Britain and the American Co-
lonies, 1356
20, Such of the Militia only are to march as are
called for by express orders of the Committee,
on any alarm that may take place, - - 1356
21, Appointment of Aids-de-Camp to the Generals
nhmended, ----.. 1357
•i'2. Town of Medford required to furnish Spades
and Shovels for the works begun on Winter
Hill, - - - - - - - 1357
Fourth Series. — Vol. II.
CXIV
1775.
June23, Colonels required to make immediate returns of
the Officers of their several Regiments, - 1357
Appointment of two Supervisors" of the Camp
recommended, 1357
Committee to examine the works carrying on, on
Prospect Hill, 1357
Cannon in Cambridge and Watertown, not
mounted, and all Military Stores not wanted,
to be removed forthwith to Newton, - - 1358
Letter to the Provincial Congress, recommending
the appointment of Supervisors of the Camps,
at Cambridge and Roxbury, - 1359
Hospital at Cambridge placed under the direction
of Dr. John \V7arren, .... 1359
Officers in Captain Craft's Company, in Colonel
Gridley's Regiment, 1360
Resolve of the Provincial Congress, of the 26th
instant, directing the Committee of Safety to
deliver Arms to such Officers as shall produce
orders therefor from General Ward, - - 1 360
Orders from General Ward to the Committee to
deliver Arms to Commanding Officers of Regi-
ments, J360
The Arms delivered by the Committee; but they
protest against the General's order, lest it
should be adduced in future as a precedent for
setting the Military power above the Civil, - 1360
Captain Samuel Russel Trevet discharged from
his arrest, which was made by a mistake of
one of the General Officers, - - - 1361
Congress requested to take speedy and effectual
measures to prevent the spreading of the Small-
Pox in the American Army, ... 1362
Colonel Palmer directed to attend the Committee,
and give them information relative to former
emissions of Bills of Credit, before they can
order a new emission, .... 1362
July 3, Edmund Quincy empowered to receive and
convey to the Committee certain Household
Goods and other effects of Thomas Hutchin-
son, and other enemies to the rights and liber-
ties of America, - 1364
An emission of Bills of Credit, amounting to one
hundred thousand Pounds, recommended, - 1365
Congress requested to have drawn up and trans-
mitted to England, a fair, honest and impar-
tial account of the Battle on the 1 7th of June,
to counteract the misrepresentations of General
Gage, 1366
Congress requested to recommend to the Grand
American Congress to seize and hold every
Crown Officer within the United Colonies, un-
til our friends, who have been seized by Gene-
ral Gage, be set at liberty and fully recom-
pensed for their loss and imprisonment, - - 1366
General Washington requested to issue an order
to suppress retailers of Spirituous Liquors with-
in and near the Camps, - - - - 1 367
The Inhabitants of the Colony, as they regard
the peace and welfare of the Country, are
requested to behave peaceably and quietly to-
wards Captain Jacob Rogers, late of Charles-
town, now of Reading, .... 1367
Appointment of four Master Armourers recom-
mended, 1368
Instructions to Officers of the Massachusetts-Bay
Forces, who are to go on the recruiting ser-
vice, sent to the Council of War for approval, 1368
Monsieur Viart, a prisoner, sent to Worcester, at
the request of General Washington, - - 1369
Committee appointed to draw up a true account
of the late Battle of Charlestown, - - 1369
Committee of Marblehead informed that five
Ships sailed this day from Boston, their des-
tination unknown, ..... 1369
Fifteen Prisoners taken on Long-Island, near
Boston, and sent by General Washington to
this Committee, who by their Commission have
no power to dispose of them, are sent to the
Provincial Congress, - 1370
Benjamin Guiilam appointed Master Armourer,
to superintend the repair of such part of the
Arms of the American Colony Army as be-
longs to this Colony, ----- 1370
Ten Prisoners taken some time past, at Machias,
and sent this day to the Committee by Gene-
ral Washington, sent to the Provincial Con-
gress, 1370
7,
H,
12,
13,
cxv
1775.
July 1
15,
CONTENTS.
17,
25,
4, Directions to the Selectmen and Committees in
the several Towns, to search lor and recover
the Goods and Household Furniture plun-
dered and carried off in the confusion occa-
sioned by the Battles of Lexington and Charles-
town, - - - - - - . "
Order for procuring such Medicines as are im-
mediately and absolutely necessary for the
Army, """"""."
Thomas Organ appointed to take charge of the
Colony DOfl
A Special Committee recommended to make pro-
vision for the reception, sustenance and sup-
port of the Poor of Boston and Cliailcstown, - 1372
Account of the late Battle of Charlestown, pre-
pared in obedience to a Resolution of the
Provincial Congress, presented, accepted, and
ordered to be transmitted to England, -
Letter to Arthur Lee, at London, enclosing the
preceding account, -
1371
- 1371
- 1372
1373
1376
1375
1375
1375
- 1379
MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
.Way 31, The Provincial Congress, meets at Water-
town, ..-----
Joseph Warren chosen President, and Samuel
Freeman Secretary, -
List of the Members chosen by the several
Towns, -------
Thanks to Dr. Langdon for his excellent Sermon
delivered to the Congress this day.
Resolve of the last Congress for supplying the
Army with Chaplains, laid before the Clergy,
now in Convention at Watertown, - - 1380
Papers relative to the Fortresses at Ticonderoga,
&c., ordered to be laid before the Congress, - 1380
Mr. Phelps, the bearer of some of the 1'apers,
attended Congress, and gave them further in-
formation, ...--- 1380
Committee to take the Papers into immediate
consideration, - - - - - - 1 380
Committee to consider a Letter from the Com-
mittee of Correspondence for New- Hampshire
to the Committee of Newburyport, - - 1380
June 1, Report of the Committee on General Thomas's
Letter, 1380
Members appointed Monitors in the Congress, - 1381
Report of a Committee on providing for the Poor
of the Town of Boston, - - - - 1381
Committee to consider the proposal of the Clergy,
now in Convention at Watertown, - - 1381
Committee to consider the Letter from the Select-
men of Hopkinton, - - - - - 1381
Report of the Committee on the Letter from
New-Hamphire, recommending copies of it to
be sent to the Seaport Towns, - - - 1381
Committee to consider a Letter from the Commit-
tee of Safety of Salem, .... 1381
Report of the Committee approving the conduct
of Mr. Stephen Higginson, - ... 1382
Report of the Committee on the Papers relating
to Ticonderoga, ..... 1382
Letter to Colonel Benedict Arnold, approving
his acquisitions of Ticonderoga and Crown
Point, and request him to continue in command
over the Forces raised by this Colony, - - 1382
L"tter to the House of Assembly of Connect-
icut ; maintaining a post at Ticonderoga is of
the utmost importance, but in our distressing
situation have postponed sending further as-
sistance to Captain Arnold, - ... 1383
Letter to the Provincial Congress of New-
Hamphire, enclosing a Letter from Colonel
Arnold, commander of the Troops at Ticon-
deroga and Crown Point, and requesting their
aid in securing the Fortresses, ... 1383
2. Committee to bring iu a Resolve making further
provision for the Poor of the Town of Boston, 1384
Committee to consider a Memorial from the
County of Worcester, - - - . 1 384
Provision made for supplying the Army with
Chaplains, 1384
Committee to take into consideration the situation
and circumstances of the Seaport Towns and
Islands in this Colony, which are exposed to
the incursions and ravages of the enemy - 1384
Rev. William Gordon chosen Chaplain" to the
Congress 1385
1775.
Members added to the Committee appointed at
the last Congress, to draw up an easy and con-
cise method of making Saltpetre, -
June 3, Report of the Committee appointed to consider
the exposed condition of the Sea-Coast, -
Persons living in places exposed to be ravaged or
plundered are advised to remove their Hay and
Stock out of the reach of our implacable ene-
mies, .......
Committee to consider a Resolve of the Commit-
tee of Safety, for a re-enforcement of the Mas-
sachusetts Army, .....
Committee on a Letter from Col. James Easton,
Congress will make no objection to fitting out
Vessels for whaling voyages or for the West-
Indies, .......
Letter to the Receiver-General, requesting him
to attend and sign Notes, - - - -
4, Colonel Henshaw admitted to give an account of
his proceedings at Connecticut, where he was
sent on the affair of Ticonderoga,
Colonel Easton's Letter referred to the Committee
who are to confer with the Committee of Bafe-
CXVI
1385
1386
1380
1387
1387
ty to-morrow morning, - - . -
5, Petition from Truro, for Powder, read and dis-
missed, -------
Letter from Governour Trumbull, just received,
referred to the Committee of Safety,
Committee to confer with the Officers of the Ame-
rican Army, on preserving the health of the
Troops,
All Letters wrote to or by the avowed enemies of
this Country, which have or may come into
the hands of any person in this Colony, to be
laid before the Congress, ....
Committee to consider the proposal of Captain
Foster, for removing the Poor and their Goods
from Boston, ......
Committee to bring in another Resolve relating to
the Poor of Boston, -
Committee to bring in a Resolve for giving a cur-
rency to the Bills of Credit of all the Govern-
ments on the Continent, ....
Committee to consider the state of the Artillery
in general, ......
Mr. Sullivan directed to bring in a Resolve for
preventing the circulation of Bills of Credit
under a specified value, ....
Report of the Committee on giving currency to
the Notes of other Governments, - - -
Ordered to lie on the table till Mr. Sullivan
brought in the Resolve just ordered,
Committee on making an allowance of Provisions
to the Soldiers of the American Army, -
6, Committee on providing regular Supplies for the
Army, .......
Proceedings in the case of Colonel Jonathan
Brewer, on the complaint of the Committee of
Safety, - -
Report of the Committee on giving currency to
the Bills of Credit of the other Governments, -
Congress refuse a Commission to Mr. Jonathan
Brewer, as Colonel of a Regiment iu the Mas-
sachusetts Army, .....
Benjamin Edwards brought before the Congress
for uttering disrespectful expressions on their
decision in Colouel Brewer's case,
Report of the Committee appointed to bring in an
additional Resolve, to make provision for the
Poor of Boston, •
7, Committee to wait on General Ward, for a Re-
turn of the number of Men in the Massachu-
setts Army, ......
Committee on a Petition of the Inhabitants of
Machias, ----.-.
Committee to consider the Letters from the Stock-
bridge Indians, --...-
Petition from Colonel Brewer, and from several
Captains under him, -
Benjamin Edwards called in, and admonished by
the President, ......
Committee on a Memorial from the Selectmen of
Salem, -
Report of the Committee on giving currency to
the Bills of Credit of other Governments, read
and recommitted, -
Committee to confer with the Delegates from
New-Hampshire. .
1387
1387
1388
1388
1388
1389
. 1389
1389
1389
1390
1390
1390
1390
1390
1390
1390
1391
1391
1391
- 1392
1392
1392
1393
1393
1393
1393
1394
1394
1394
1301
CXVII
1775.
CONTENTS.
CXVIII
To-morrow afternoon assigned for choosing two
Major-Generals of the Massachusetts Army, - 1 394
Committee to collect the Letters of the late Go-
vernour Hutchinson, ----- 1394
Report of the Committee on the four Prisoners
from Dartmouth, - 1394
Report of the Committee on the Petition of the
Inhabitants of Machias, read and accepted, - J 395
Report of the Committee appointed to confer with
the Gentlemen from New-Hampshire, - - 1395
Letters directed to be written to the Colonies of
Connecticut, Rhode-Island, and New-Hamp-
shire, desiring them severally to appoint Com-
mittees, to meet one appointed by this Con-
gress, at Worcester, on the 28th instant, to
determine the number of Men to be raised on
the present emergency, by each of the New-
England Colonies, ----- 1395
Report of the Committee appointed to confer with
the Committee of Safety, on a re-enforcement
of the Army, 1395
Committee to consider the expediency of establish-
ing a number of small Armed Vessels, for the
protection of our trade and the annoyance of
our enemies, ------ 1396
Committee to consider at large on some measure
for commissioning the Officers of the Army, - 1396
June 8, Letter from the Committee of Arundel, with an
account of their taking a Sloop from Boston,
for Annapolis, - 1396
Report of the Committee appointed to confer with
the Committee of Safety, that it is inexpedient
for this Colony to augment the Forces already
raised by it, for the defence of the American Co-
lonies ; considered in Committee of the Whole,
and agreed to by the Congress, - - - 1396
Report of the Committee on commissioning Offi-
cers of the Army ; read and agreed to, - - 1396
Committee on a Petition from the County of
Cumberland, 1397
Letter to the Stockbridge Indians, - - - 1397
Selectmen of Stockbridge appointed a Committee
to send Messengers and Belts to the Indians, - 1397
9, Committee to consider what is proper to be done
with the Prisoners from Arundel, - - 1398
Resolutions of the Continental Congress, of the
17th and 29th of May, relative to exports to
the British Possessions, to be duly enforced, - 1398
Provisions may be sent to Nantucket, for the use
of the Inhabitants only, .... 1398
10, Report of the Committee on the Prisoners brought
from Arundel, 1399
Josiah Jones and Jonathan Hicks to be confined
in the Jail of Middlesex, ... - 1400
Committee to consider if Artificers may be neces-
sary for the Army in the pay of this Colony, 1 400
Committee on the appointment of Armourers for
the Massachusetts Army, - 1400
Allowance of Provisions for the Soldiers of the
Massachusetts Army, - - - - 1401
Monday next (12th instant) assigned for choosing
three Delegates, to meet those that may be sent
by the other New-England Colonies, - - 1401
Choice of two Major-Generals deferred to Mon-
day next, - - - - - - -1401
Committee to consider the expediency of establish-
ing a number of Armed Vessels, - - - 1401
11, Address to the Continental Congress; ordered to
be signed by Major Hawley, as Vice-Presi-
dent, and sent by express to Philadelphia, - 1401
12, Committee to consider some measure to prevent
the violation of the Sabbath, - 1402
Committee to consider the Petition of the Com-
mittee at Charlestown, .... 1402
Committee to prepare Instructions to the Dele-
gates to go to Ticonderoga, - - - 1 403
Committee to consider of some method to supply
the Surgeons of the Army with Medicines, - 1403
Letter to the Continental Congress, - - 1403
Exportation of Provisions prohibited, - - 1404
Report of Committee on supplying Surgeons
with Medicines, - ... 1404
Orders for the arrest of one Thompson, who is
about to sail from Salem to New-Providence,
for Provisions for the Army in Boston, - 1404
Committee chosen to meet the Committees of the
New-England Colonies at Worcester, on the
a instant. 1405
1775.
Committee chosen to go to Ticonderoga, to ex-
amine into the state of that Fortress, - - 1405
Motion made to reconsider the Resolve for choos-
ing a Committee to meet Committees of the
New-England Governments, at Worcester, - 1405
June 13, Letter from Governour Trumbull, enclosing a
Letter from Colonel Arnold, and three Resolves
of the Continental Congress; read and referred
to the Committee appointed to prepare Instruc-
tions to the Committee to repair to Ticonde-
roga, 1405
Twenty-three Regiments to be commissioned,
exclusive of the Regiment of Matrosses, - 1406
Committee to consider the Petition of Abner
Graves and others, ----- 1406
Resolves relating to the Convention of Commit-
tees at Worcester, reconsidered, - - - 1 406
Colonel John Whitcomb chosen First Major-
Genera 1, ------- 1406
Report of the Committee on the expediency of
establishing a number of Armed Vessels consi-
dered, and, after a very long debate, the further
consideration of it referred to Friday next, - 1407
Instructions to the Gentlemen chosen by this Con-
gress to repair to Ticonderoga, - - - 1407
Committee to consider the subject-matter of a
late extraordinary Proclamation of General
Gage, 1408
14, Abner Graves and others have leave to withdraw
their Petition, 1409
Committee to consider the Report of Col. Thomp-
son, and the Petition of Mr. Parry, - - 1409
First Thursday of July next appointed a day
of Fasting and Prayer throughout the Co-
lony, 1409
Committee to consider of the means for furnish-
ing those who are destitute of Arms in the
Massachusetts Army, .... 1409
Committee to Ticonderoga directed to revise the
papers relating to that Fortress, and to take
with them such as are not wanted by this Con-
gress, ------- 1409
Committee to consider the propriety of supplying
the Generals of the Massachusetts Army with
necessary Household Furniture, - - - 1409
Dr. Joseph Warren chosen Second Major-Gen-
eral, 1409
Resolve for a Day of Fasting recommitted, that
the following things might be mentioned :
blessing on the Continental Congress, unity of
the Colonies, health, fruitful seasons, &c, - 1410
Committee of Supplies directed forthwith to re- »
commend suitable persons for Officers in the
Train of Artillery, 1410
15, Orders for securing the Library and Apparatus
of Harvard College, 1410
Letter to the Continental Congress, to New- York,
and to the several Governments in New-Eng-
land, 1410
Houses to be taken for the Soldiers near the Camp
at Cambridge, if Tents cannot be had, - - 141 1
Inhabitants of several Towns requested to furnish
Fire-Arms for the use of the Army, - - 1411
Committee to consider the application of the Rev.
Dr. Langdon, - - - - - 1413
Report of the Committee appointed to consider
the claims and pretensions of several Colonels
in the Army, ------ 1413
16, Soldiers to be supplied with Rum on extraordi-
nary occasions, - - - ■- -1414
Committee to consider an augmentation of the
Army, a supply of Arms to the Soldiers, &c, 1414
Consideration of the Report on fitting out Armed
Vessels further postponed, - - - - 1414
Letter to General Whitcomb, requesting a more
explicit answer respecting his acceptance of
his appointment as Major-General, - - 1414
Report o( the Committee on the violation of the
Sabbath, 1415
Vessels laden with Cod Fish permitted to sail for
the West-Indies, - - - - - 1416
Report of the Committee appointed to consider
the late extraordinary Proclamation signed
Thomas Gage, 1416
Proclamation by the Provincial Congress, to be
printed and published throughout the Colony, 1416
Report of the Committee on the application of
Dr Langdon, 1419
1419
- 1420
- 1422
CXIX
1775.
June 1 7, Rpport of Committee on procuring Fire-Arms
and Powder from Philadelphia and elsewhere, 1419
Militia throughout the Colony requeued to hold
then* lvi-s in readim St to march at a minute's
warning: and the Inhabitants on the Sea-
Coast are requested to carry tin -ir Arms with
them on the Sabhath and other days when they
nni t for publick worship. -
Report of the Committee on the Resolves of the
Committee of Safety Relative te an augments
tion of the Army, supply of Arms, &c,
Letter from the President of the Continental Con-
gress, anil a Resolve containing several rm.nii-
mendations to this and the other Colonies;
brought by express, -
Committee appointed to call tog-ether the Mem-
bers of this Congress, in any extraordinary
emergency, at any other time or to any other
place than that to which it may stand adjourned, 1422
Committees to purchase Fire-Anns in the several
Counties. ......
18, Records and Papers of the Provincial Congress
to be secured and taken care of, at the discre-
tion of the Secretary, -
Committee to prepare a Letter to the Continental
Congress, on the late attack of the King's
Troops at Bunker's Hill, - - - -
Committee of Supplies directed to write to Rhode'
Island and New-Hampshire for Powder,
Committee to see that the Army at the Intrench-
ments be well supplied with victuals and drink,
Report of the Committee on establishing Officers
to take care of the Ordnance Stores,
President of this Congress to be chosen this
afternoon, in place of the Honourable Joseph
Warren, supposed to be killed in the late
battle at Bunker's Hill, ....
Report on the Resolve of the Continental Con-
gress for establishing Civil Government in
this Colony; read, debated, and deferred till
Dr. Church, who was at Philadelphia when
the Resolve passed, shall be present,
James Warren chosen President of the Congress,
To-morrow morning assigned for considering the
Report on fitting out Armed Vessels, -
The Secretary directed to subscribe the name of
the late President to all Commissions bearing
date on the 19th of May, ....
Committee of .Supplies directed to furnish desti-
tute Soldiers with Clothes and Blankets,
Fifteen hundred good Spears to be immediately
furnished to the Army at Cambridge, -
20, Report of the Committee on the Petition of Col.
Phinney, recommending the establishment of
a Regiment to guard the Sea-Coast in the
County of Cumberland, ....
Laid on the table till the matter respecting
Armed Vessels is considered, ...
Committee to purchase Spears for the Array, -
Report of the Committee on the Resolve of the
Continental Congress respecting Government, 1425
Letter to the several Towns in the Colony, re-
questing them to elect Representatives to an
Assembly to meet the 19th day of July next,- 1426
Report on the expediency of establishing Armed
Vessels further considered, debated, and ordered
to subside for the present, .... 1426
Another Hospital for the sick and wounded of
the Army established, - . . .
Committee to confer with four Indians this day
arrived from Penobscot, under the conduct of
John Line, -
Committee to inquire into the grounds of a report
which has prevatled in the Army that there
has been treachery in some of the" Officers, -
Colonel Heath chosen a Major-General -
Letter to the Continental Congress
Letter to General Ward, requesting to send one
or more Regiments from Roxbury to Cam-
bridge, - - . . .
21, Commission to Major-Gcneral Heath, . \
Committee to consider the expediency of remov-
ing Colonel Glover's Regiment from Marble-
head to Cambridge, .
Resolution relative to the Estates of Refine
(S> «• Note,) ....
Address fiom an Indian Chief of the Penoba
1 ribe, .
scot
CONTENTS. exx
1 7 7 ."i .
Committee to inquire into the present want of
discipline in the Massachusetts Army, - - 1432
Joseph Fry chosen Third Major-General, - 1433
Report of the Committee to consider the request
of the Penobscot Indians, now at Watertown, 1433
Commissions for the Officers of the Train of
Artillery directed to be prepared and deliver-
ed, 1433
Junc22, Proclamation for a Fast recommitted for amend-
ment, 1434
Committee to consider the propriety of commis-
sioning the Officers of Colonel Gerrish's Re-
giment, ....... 1435
Report of the Committee on the means by which
the Army before Boston may be most expedi-
tiously strengthened, ..... 1435
Corn and Ammunition to be furnished the Inha-
bitants on Penobscot River, &c, - - - 1436
23, Rank of the Officers in Colonel Gridley's Regi-
ment, ....... 1436
Report of the Committee appointed to consider
the state of Colonel Phinney's Regiment, - 1437
Committee to take into consideration the Regi-
ment that was moved from Marblehead to
Cambridge, 1437
Committee to consider of proper expedients to
augment the Army, and to write to the other
New-England Governments on the subject, - 1438
Report of the Committee appointed to inquire
into the misconduct in the late Engagement, - 1438
Committee of Safety directed to make out a new
list for Officers of the Train of Artillery, and
that no person unworthy of that office be
appointed, ...... 1438
Payment ordered to Mr. John Lane for his
expenses in bringing up four Chiefs of the
Penobscot Tribe of Indians, ... 1438
Town of Maiden authorized to defend themselves
in case of an attack from the enemy, - - 1439
Former vote respecting the removal of the Li-
brary and Apparatus reconsidered, and another
adopted, 1439
Letter to General Ward, directing him to order
eight Companies, now posted in Plymouth, to
join the Army before Boston, ... 1440
Robert Haskell permitted to go from Beverly to
Nova-Scotia in a Fishing Vessel, - - 1440
24, Committee to consider some method of regulating
Trade with the Indians, .... 1440
Committee to consider what further is necessary
to be done respecting Bills of Credit of the
Colony, - - 1440
Establishment for Surgeons of Hospitals, - 1440
Committee to get the Resolve for a Fast printed, 1441
Captain John Lane admitted to the floor of the
House, to answer such questions as the Con-
gress shall propose to him, - - - 1441
Report of the Committee appointed to prepare a
Letter to the Governour of Rhode- Island, - 1442
Committee to consider a Letter from General
Ward, informing of the desertion of Lieutenant
Cox, of Salem, ------ 1442
Report of the Committee appointed to consider
the expediency of stationing part of Colonel
Phinney's Regiment in Cumberland and Lin-
coln, ....... 1442
Proclamation for a Fast suspended, - - 1442
Report of the Committee on the desertion of
Lieutenant Cox, ..... 1442
Committee to consider what steps should be taken
for receiving General Washington with proper
respect, ....... 1443
Report of the Committee to consider of an ade-
quate allowance for Captain John Line, - 1443
Colonel Porter directed to have a Scythe fixed
on a Spear, in such manner as he thinks fit,
and bring it before the Congress when fixed, 1443
Committee appointed to procure Spears empow-
ered to order Blacksmiths to work on the
Sabbath, 1443
Report of the Committee appointed to regulate
Trade with the Indians, .... 1443
Rev. Mr. Gordon chosen to preach an Election
Sermon, on the 19th of July next, - - 1444
25, Committee to procure Shovels and Spades for the
Army immediately, .... - 1444
Honorary commission to Mr. Gil man, Interpre-
ter to the Penobscot Indiana, ... 1444
1422
1422
1423
- 1423
1423
1423
1424
1424
1424
1424
1424
- 1425
1425
1425
1425
1425
1427
1427
1428
1428
1429
1430
1430
- 1431
ini
- 1132
CXXI
1775.
CONTENTS.
CXXII
Mr. Oilman instructed to cultivate a friendly dis-
position in the Indians, and to forward such
intelligence respecting the Indians and Cana-
dians as he can procure,
Detachment sent for the protection of the Eliza
beth Islands, ------
Letter to the Governour of Connecticut, -
Committee on the reception of General Wash
ington report; the Report laid on the table,
Letter from the Committee of Machias, respect
ing the capture of a King's Cutter,
June2Q>, Committee appointed to consider the conduct of
Colonel Thompson, at Kennebeck, directed to
consider also his conduct at Falmouth to Capt.
Mowatt and Captain Coulson,
The Secretary directed to sign the Commis-
sions of the Officers of the Train, except John
Wiley's, Samuel Gridlev's and John Callen-
dor's. - - - - - - •
Committee appointed to inquire into a report that
there has been treachery in some of the Offi-
cers, directed to proceed in their inquiries,
Report of the Committee on the reception of
General Washington again considered, amend-
ed, and accepted, -
Report of the Committee on the Letter from Ma-
chias, .......
Committee to consider a Letter from Gen. Ward,
Committee to meet Generals Washington and
Lee, at Springfield, .....
Two Companies raised in New- York and Con-
necticut permitti d to join Colonel Patteison's
Regiment, ......
General Whitcomb attended, was sworn, and re-
ceived his Commission as Major-General of
the Massachusetts Army, - - -
Petition from the Committee for the Town of
Plymouth, (Note,)
Committee on the Petition from Plymouth,
Directions for delivering out the Arms procured
by a Committee of this Congress,
Committee to consider measures for the defence
and protection of the Sea-Coast,
Report of the Committee on the conduct of Col.
Thompson at Falmouth, -
27, Committee on a Letter from Albany, ■ -
Report of Committee on General Ward's Letter
accepted, and afterwards recommitted, toge-
ther with the Resolve relating to absconding
Soldiers, ------
Letter from Isaac Stone, relative to Francis
Moore, ------
Committee to consider General Thomas's Letter,
relative to furnishing the American Prisoners
in Boston with Provisions,
Committee on the Letters brought by Mr. Pal
frey from England, -
Four Members added to the Committee of Sup-
plies, ......
Colonel William Henshaw and Samuel Brewer
chosen Adjutant-Generals of the Massachu-
setts Army, -
Committee to prepare an Address to the several
Towns in the Colony, to furnish the Army
with Powder, - - - - -
Petition from the Committee of Goldsborough,
&c, (Note,)
Report of Committee on the Petition,
Pay of Officers and Soldiers to commence at the
time of their enlistment, - - - -
Resolve of yesterday, relating to the distribu-
tion of Fire-Arms, reconsidered, amended, and
adopted, -------
Report of the Committee on furnishing the Pri
soners in Boston with Provisions,
Report on protecting the Sea- Coast again read
and considered, and, after debate, further post-
poned, .-----.
28, Five or three may be a quorum of the Commit-
tee of Supplies, -
Letter to the Committee of Albany,
Report of Committee on absconding Soldiers read
and recommitted, . - . . .
Report of Committee on giving a currency to
the Notes or Bills of Credit of the Colony,
read and recommitted, - - - -
Report of Committee on defence of the Sea-Coast
again considered, amended and accepted,
- 1444
1445
1445
- 144G
- 1446
- 1446
- 1447
- 1447
- 1447
1448
1448
1448
1448
- 1448
1449
1449
1449
- 1450
1450
1450
- 1450
s
- 1450
- 1451
1451
- 1451
- 1451
- 1452
1452
1452
1452
1453
- 1454
1454
1454
1454
1455
1455
1456
1775.
1461
1461
1461
1462
Report of Committee on saving Provisions in
the Army, 1456
Committees to station the Troops in the Counties
of Essex and York, 1456
Committee to give out Listing Orders, - - 1456
Measures adopted for the defence and protection
of the Sea-Coast, 1456
Report of Committee relative to absconding Sol-
diers considered and accepted, ... 1457
Form of Warrant for the Surgeons, - - 1458
Committee on preventing the unnecessary ex-
penditure of Gunpowder, - - - - 1458
Report of the Committee on making the Notes
and Bills of Credit of this and the other Co-
lonies a tender, again considered, amended,
and adopted, ------ 1458
Time of the commencement of pay to Officers,
Soldiers and Minute-Men, fixed, - - 1460
June 29, Committee to prepare an Address to Generals
Washington and Lee, on their arrival at Cam-
bridge, ------- 1460
Selectmen of the several Towns to supply the
Soldiers stationed on the Sea-Coast with Pro-
visions, ------- 1460
Ltters brought by Ensign Campbell, late from
England, now a prisoner at Concord, address-
ed to gentlemen in the Colonies, to be sent to
the Officers of the Troops of the respective
Colonies, ------
Committee to search Ensign Campbell, -
Address to the Counties of Hampshire and Wor-
cester, requesting to supply Powder for the
Army, -------
Doctor William Whiting directed to go to New-
York, and procure from Doctor Graham in-
structions for making Saltpetre, - - -
30, Major Hawley to bring in a Resolve directing
the Committee of Safety to inquire into the
expediency of a further emission of Bills of
Credit. Report presented and accepted,
Committee to inquire into the expediency of con-
tinuing the Lights in the Light-houses at Cape
Ann, Boston and Plymouth,
Jabez Matthews admitted to give an account of
his embassy to Qucbeck, - - - -
Form of Commissions, Beating Orders and En-
listments, for Troops employed for the defence
of the Sea-Coast, . - - - -
Instructions to the Committees appointed to pro-
cure Powder from the Counties of Hampshire
and Worcester, . . - - -
Li3t of Towns required to furnish the Powder, -
July 1 , Provision made for the Poor of Charlestown, -
Deputy-Commissaries for the Massachusetts
Army,
General Ward directed to order two Companies
to Plymouth, ------
Regulations for trial of offences by any of the
Troops for the defence of the Sea-Coast,
A number of Letters from London received and
referred to a Committee, - - - -
Letter to the Governour and Company of Con-
necticut, - - - - - - . -
Receiver-General directed to pay out of the Trea-
sury the Bills of Credit of other Colonies,
Accommodations for the Sick and Wounded of
the Colony Army provided, -
Address to General Washington, - - -
His Excellency's Answer, - - - -
Address to General Lee, - - - -
His Honour's Answer, - -
Report of the Committee on securing the Whale-
Boats belonging to the Colony, - - -
Report of the Committee on removing and secur-
ing the Lamps of the Light-houses,
Petition of Joseph Barrell, Jate of Boston,
Letter from Alexander Shepard, Jun., to the Com-
mittee of Safety, - - -
Report of the Committee for elevising means for
the support of the Poor of Boston and Charles-
town, -------
3, Committee of Safety directed to report, as soon as
possible, on the expediency of a new emission
of Bills of Credit,
Committee to confer with the Members from the
New-Hampshire Congress,
Petition of the Selectmen of Abington for aid in
supporting the Poor of Boston, - - -
8,
146S
- 1463
1464
1464
1466
1467
1468
- 1468
1469
- 1469
1470
1470
- 1471
1472
1472
1473
1473
1474
- 1474
1474
1475
1476
1476
1476
- 1477
1477
CXXIII
1775.
CONTENTS.
CXXIV
7,
B,
Letter from Colonel Grid Icy. complaining of thi lr
appointment of persona not recommended by
him for 1 1 the Artillery. - •
No more Commissions, for the present, to be de-
livered to Offieara to the Colony Army,
Committee to tike into consideration the conduct
0f (j. Nantucket, -
Letter from the Congress of New-Hampshire,
dated July 3, enclosing two Letters from Dr.
Wneeloct and a Committee m Hanover,
U Govemour Trumbull, - -
Committ"*- m wait upon General Washington, to
know if he has any matter to lay before tig-
ress, -
List of Surgeons and Mates,
Form of Warrant for a Medical Commissary, -
Late Inhabitants of the Town of Boston au-
thorized to choose Representatives to the As-
sembly, - - - - ' ', r, '
Report of the Committee on the request of den.
Washington to make a Drawbridge of the
Bridge at Cambridge, - -
Report of the Committee to consider of the Do-
nations for the Poor of Boston recommitted, -
Petition from Colonel Jonathan Brewer, -
Report of the Committee on the Petition of
eighteen Stockbridge Indians,
Mr. Shepard requested to retain in his hands all
the Plans he hath of the Province of Maine, -
Report on the Donations for the Poor of Boston
again made and recommitted, -
Committee appointed, with authority to convene
the General Assembly earlier than the 19th
instant, -------
Letter from James Winthrop, resigning his ap-
pointment as Postmaster at Cambridge,
Letter to General Washington, enclosing a Re
solution relative to the Sick and Wounded,
Report of the Committee for supplying Coats for
the Army, ...---
Proportion of the thirteen thousand Coats to be
supplied by the respective Towns,
Committee of Supplies empowered to impress
the Saw-Mill at Watertown, or any other Mill
they may have occasion for,
Letter from Colonel John Fenton, a prisoner
from New- Hampshire, requesting he may be
removed to Cambridge and tried,
Vote of Thanks to the Committee who have re-
turned this day from their embassy to Ticon-
deroga, - - - - - - -
Committee to consider a Resolve of the Commit-
tee of Safety, recommending the seizing of
Crown Officers, - - - .
Committee of Safety appointed a Committee to
draw up and transmit to Great Britain a fair
and impartial account of the Battle at Charles-
town,
Report of the Committee on the Resolve of the
Committee of Safety, relative to a new emis-
sion of Bills of Credit, - - - -
Report of the Committee on the application of
Daniel Murray to General Washington for
permission to go into Boston, ...
Letter from General Ward, requesting Clothing
for the Array, ------
Letter to Colonel Easton, at Ticonderoga,
Report of the Committee to consider some me-
thod to prevent supplying our enemies with
Provisions, ------
Report of the Committee on Clothing for the
Army, -------
Report of the Committee appointed to consider
the conduct of the People of Nantucket,
Permission given to the Committee of Machias
to fit out an Armed Vessel for their defence, -
Report of the Committee on the Petition of Colo-
nel Jonathan Brewer, -
Letters from or to any person in the Continental
Army in Massachusetts, free of postage,
Letter to the Congress of New- Hampshire,
Report of the Committee on a Letter from < iene-
ral Greene, ---...
Mtion explanatory of the Resolve of the 21st
of June, relative to the Estates of Rerugi
The Continental Congress to be requested to or-
der the seizure of every Crown Officer in the
Colonies, -----..
1775.
1477
1478
- 1479
1479
1480
1481
1481
1481
1481
1482
1483
1483
1483
1484
- 1484
1484
1485
- 1485
1485
1486
- 1488
1489
1490
- 1490
1491
- 1491
1492
1493
1494
1494
1495
1495
1495
1496
1497
1498
1499
1499
1590
1501
1501
1502
'- 1503
1504
1504
1504
1505
- 1506
1506
1507
1507
1508
- 1508
Letter from John Scollay, relative to the Poor of
the Town of Boston, 1500
Letter from four Indian Chiefs, at Falmouth, to
Ephraiin Oilman, (Note.) - 1501
Jedediah Preble and Enoch Freeman empowered
supply the Penobscot Indians with Goods, -
Report of the Committee on the Letter of John
Scollay, 1
Report of the Committee on the Towns to be ap-
plied to for Shirts and Breeches for the Army,
Additional Resolve, relative to the Poor of Bos-
ton, adopted, - - - - - -
Letter to the Continental Congress, requesting
the seizure of Crown Officers,
John Lane, Agent for the Penobscot Tribe of In-
dians, authorized to supply them with Powder, 1503
Letter from General Lee, requesting their appro-
bation of his interview with Gen. Burgoyne, 1504
Committee appointed to consider the Letter, and
Elbridge Gerry appointed to accompany Gene-
ral Lee at the interview, - - , -
Committee on a Letter from General Washing-
ton, on the deficiency in the strength of the
Army, - - - -
Letter to General Lee, agreeing to his proposed
interview with General Burgoyne,
July 1 1 , Report of the Committee relative to Donations for
the Poor of Boston, considered and accepted, -
Report of the Committee appointed to consider
the circumstances of the Town of Hull,
Committee to confer with General Washington,
on a temporary re-enforcement of the Army, -
Committee to devise some means of raising speed-
ily a temporary re-enforcement, -
Memorial of William Hunt, - - - -
12, Letter to Governour Trumbull, ...
Able-bodied Men requested to return to their re-
spective Seaport Towns, to protect them from
the ravages of the enemy, - - -
Letter from Captain Noble, dated Pittsfield, July
3, with a roll of his Company, at Ticonderoga, 1508
Letter from General Washington referred to the
Committee on the temporary re-enforcement, 1509
Report of the Committee on the situation of the
publick stock of Powder, - - - - 1 509
Committee to enlarge the Commission of the
Committee of Safety, .... 1509
Letter from the Committee of Safety, requesting
Congress to appoint a Special Committee to
make provision for the Poor of Boston and
Charlestown, - - . - - - - 1509
Report of the Committee for a temporary re-en-
forcement, considered, and, after much debate,
recommitted, ------ 1509
Letter to Captain James Noble, ... 1510
Committee on a temporary re-enforcement again
reported: Report amended and accepted, - 1510
Resolves for a temporary re-enforcement, - 1510
Letter to the Military Officers, &c, of the several
Towns, requesting them to raise and forward
to the Camp immediately, their proportions of
Men, for the temporary re-enforcement, - 1511
13, Letter from General Washington's Secretary,
dated nine o'clock, P. M., July 12, - -1512
Resolve passed yesterday, for a re-enforcement,
reconsidered, - - - - - -1512
Killing of Sheep or Lambs prohibited, excepting
in cases of absolute necessity, till the further
order of this Congress, - - - - 1514
Soldiers enlisting in more than one Company
required to return to the first Company they
enlisted in, - - - - - -1515
Report of the Committee on disposing of ten
Prisoners taken on Long- Island, in the Har-
bour of Boston, ----- 1515
Commission of the Committee of Safety, - - 1515
Ten Prisoners, taken at Machias, sent to the Jail
in Worcester, - - - - - -1516
Committee of Supplies authorized to grant relief,
out of the publick stores, to the Inhabitants of
the eastern parts of the Colony, - - - 1518
19, Congress dissolved, - - - - - 1518
CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, ETC.
Jul;/ 1, Letter from Lord Dartmouth to General Gage
The rebellious conduct of the Provincials, on
the 19th of April, will evince to the world the
cxxv
1775.
CONTENTS.
justice of the measures the King has adopted,
and in which His Majesty will firmly perse-
vere, -------
July 1, Letter from a Gentleman in London to his friend
in Virginia. The real friends of America
wish they had acted with more temper and less
violence; the King has recommended concilia-
tory measures, but whether they will be suffi-
cient to allay the ferment on your side of the
water time only will show, - - - -
1, Letter from London to a Gentleman in Philadel-
phia. The spirit displayed by all the Colonies
give great satisfaction to all the friends of
America. Substance of a conversation with
Lord North,
1, Letter from the South-Carolina Delegates in the
Continental Congress, to the Secret Committee
in Charlestown,
Address delivered to the Inhabitants of a Coun-
ty in Virginia, assembled for the purpose of
choosing Deputies to represent them in Colony
Convention, -
1, Letter from the Committee of Yorktown, Penn-
sylvania, to the Pennsylvania Delegates in
Congress. Have raised a Company of Rifle-
men, and recommend Officers for them,
1, Letter from General Schuyler to General Wash-
ington. The Connecticut Troops, under Gene-
ral Wooster, are encamped within two miles
of New- York. No preparation has yet been
made to occupy a post in the Highlands. He
will leave New- York for Ticonderoga on
Monday next, - - - - -
1, Letter from Edward Fleming to the New- York
Congress. Declines accepting the appoint
ment of Lieutenant-Colonel, in Colonel James
Clinton's Regiment, - - - -
1, Letter from S. Sp. Skinner, New- York, to a
Nobleman in England. On the policy of the
British Government towards the Colonies, and
the disposition and the ability of the Colonies
to resist, -------
1, Letter from the Congress of Massachusetts to the
Assembly of Connecticut, requesting the em-
bargo in Connecticut may be taken off, so far
as to permit the Inhabitants of the eastern parts
of Massachusetts to purchase Provisions, they
being reduced to the alternative of starving
or supplying the Ministerial Troops, either of
which they deprecate, -
1, Recantation of James Ball, of Warwick, Massa
chusetts, -------
New- Hampshire Committee of Safety, - 1765
Letter from General Folsom to the New-Hamp-
shire Committee of Safety, - - - -
Letter from the New- Hampshire Committee of
Safety to General Folsom, - - - -
Letter from the New-Hampshire Committee of
Safety to Colonel Reid. Refuse to recall the
Commission to Mr. McGregore, as Adjutant
of his Regiment, and insist upon it that their
appointments take place, - - - -
Letter from General Schuyler to the President
of Congress. Has had a conference with the
New- York Congress on employing the Green
Mountain Boys; and expects they will employ
five hundred of them ; from the accounts of
Colonel Guy Johnson's conduct it is appre-
hended that the Inhabitants of the western
part of New- York and New- Jersey, and the
northern parts of Pennsylvania will be exposed
to insults from the Savages, - - -
2, Letter from General Gates to General Washing-
ton, --------
3, Meeting of Committee of Inspection for Balti-
more Town; Henry Lloyd, of Boston, declared
a wilful violator of the Continental Associa-
tion, -------
3, Dorchester County, Maryland, Committee, pro-
hibit the selling of any Merchandise brought to
the County, without a proper Certificate that
it was imported agreeable to the Continen-
tal Association, -
3, Letter from John Alsop, Philadelphia, to the
New- York Congress, -
3, Letter from John Langdon, Philadelphia, to the
New-Hampshire Congress. General Sullivan
has left for home; the Riflemen will inarch
1517
1517
1518
1519
- 1520
1524
- 1525
- 1526
1526
■z,
■ 1470
1528
1768
1524
1529
1530
1439
1531
1531
1532
1532
1775.
July 3,
3,
3,
3,
3,
3,
3,
3,
3,
3,
exxvr
this week for Cambridge; the Powder Mills
are going on fast; an effort will be made to
import large quantities of Powder; Cannon
should not be used, if it can be avoided, until
there is a better supply of Powder, - - 1533
Committee of Philadelphia have undertaken to
erect a Saltpetre Manufactory, ... 1533
Letter from the New- York Congress to the Com-
mittee of Albany, with fifty quarter casks of
Gunpowder, sent by the Continental Congress
for the use of the Forts at Ticonderoga and
Crown Point, ------ 183(5
Proclamation of Governour Tryon, to postpone
the meeting of the Assembly to the ninth of
August, 1533
Address of the Mayor, Aldermen, and Common-
alty of New- York, to Governour Tryon, - 1534
Governour Tryon's Answer to the Address, - 1534
Letter from General Schuyler to the Continental
Congress. The People called Green Mountain
Boys are the inhabitants of the northeastern
parts of Albany County, Charlotte County, and
the New- Hampshire Grants; occupying the
country from near Albany to forty or fifty miles
north of Crown Point; but it has been so lately
settled that not more than five hundred Men
can be raised there. The Troops at his com-
mand are inadequate to the enterprise he is
ordered to undertake, and which he is not at
liberty to desist from without orders to the con-
trary, ------- H5S5
Letter from General Schuyler to the Continental
Congress. The information he has just received
of the nefarious designs of Colonel Johnson, and
the temper of the Indians, is so important that
he has sent Mr. Kirkland, who brought him
the information, to the Congress, - - 1536
Letter from General Schuyler to the New-York
Congress: enclosing a list of Military Stores,
Provisions, &c, which he requests may be sent
to Albany, for which place he leaves New-
York to-morrow, ----- 1536
Letter from the New- York Committee of Secrecy
to the Massachusetts Congress, informing them
of the sailing of a Vessel from Scotland, bound
to Salem, 1537
Letter from Peter T. Curtenius to the New- York
Congress, ------ 1537
S. Patrick to the New- York Congress; has a
Furnace now in blast, and will deliver Iron Ball
of any dimensions, any where on the North
River, for fifteen pounds per ton, - - 1538
Letter from Colonel Hinman, at Ticonderoga, to
the New- York Congress. The Fortresses at
Fort George and Ticonderoga cannot be main-
tained against Artillery. He is almost destitute
of Powder, and it is not improbable that a suffi-
cient force may be sent from Canada to take
these Posts if supplies are not sent him,
Address of the principal Inhabitants on Lake
Champiain to Benedict Arnold, Commander-
in-Chief of an Expedition to Lake Champiain,
for taking the Fortresses on said Lake,
Answer of Colonel Arnold to the very respect-
able Inhabitants on Lake Champiain, -
Letter to the Continental Congress, from Walter
"Spooner, one of the Committee from the Massa-
chusetts Congress to Ticonderoga. It is of the
utmost importance to New- York and the New-
England Colonies that the Posts there should
not fall into the hands of the enemy, and that
we should have the command of Lake Cham
plain, ------
Letter from Walter Spooner to the New- York
Congress. All possible care should be taken to
keep the command of Lake Champiain, which
may most easily be effected by Armed Vessels.
A most dangerous mutiny was set on foot by
persons employed by Colonel Arnold, an officer
of Massachusetts, which was suppressed by the
influence of Judge Duer, of Charlotte County,
New- York, and the principal officers of the
Connecticut Forces, 1539
Letter from Walter Spooner to Governour Trum-
bull. When the Committee arrived at Crown
Point they informed Colonel Arnold that he
must give up the command to Colonel Hin-
inun ■ this he refused, declared he would a
- 1538
1088
1088
- 1539
cxxvu
1775.
CONTENTS.
CXXVIII
be second to any man, disbanded his forces,
and resigned In? commission, ... 1540
July 3, Letter from the New-Hampshire Congress to the
Massachus " -. with information from
i oada: if any plan of operation towards, or in
( lanada, is suitable, they wish to act in concert
with the oi tries in the neighbourhood, 1479
3, Letter from Goveroour Wentworth to Theodore
Atkinson. Has occasion for the Books of Char-
ters in th( fa < »fiSce, and desires they
may be sent him, 1541
3, Letter from the New-Hampshire Congress to the
Massachusetts Congress, enclosing copies of
rs froi«» Or. Wheelock, dated Dartmouth
College, June 26, and from the Committee in
Hanover, dated June 27, - - - - 1541
GEORGIA PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
July 4, The Congress meets at Savannah, - - -
List of the Members elected, -
Archibald Bullock chosen President, and George
Walton Secretary, - - - - -
Congress attend the Meeting-House of the Rev.
Dr. Zubly, where he preached a Sermon on
the alarming suite of American affairs,
Thanks of the Congress to Dr. Zubly for his
excellent Sermon, -
5, Message to the Govemour by a Committee, that
he will appoint a day of Fasting and Prayer,
to be observed throughout the Province,
Proceedings of a Meeting at Savannah, on the
13th of June, laid before the Congress,
Motion, that this Congress put the Province upon
the same footing with the other Colonies, to
be considered to-morrow, - - - -
6, Order of the Day read, and considered, -
Resolved unanimously, that this Province will
adopt and carry into execution all and singular
the measures and recommendations of the late
Continental Congress, -
Other Resolutions regulating the conduct of the
Colony, ......
7, Govemour Wright's Answer to the Message of
the Congress ; he will appoint a day of Fast-
ing and Prayer, .....
Committee to convey the Thanks of the Congress
to the Govemour, -
Delegates to the Continental Congress chosen, -
Dr. Zubly declines accepting the appointment of
Delegate, without the approbation of his Con-
gregation, ......
Secret Committee appointed, ....
Dr. Zubly appointed to prepare and bring in a
Petition to the King, .....
Committee appointed to prepare a Letter to the
President of the Continental Congress, inform-
ing him of the Proceedings of this Congress,
Committee appointed to prepare an Address to
the Govemour, -
8, Ten Thousand Pounds Sterling appropriated for
the service of the Province, in the present
alarming and distracted state of affairs, -
Petition to the King presented and approved of, -
Committee of Intelligence appointed,
Letter to the President of the Continental Con-
gress presented and approved of, -
10, Resolutions adopted unanimously, declaring their
rights, their allegiance to the King, their union
with the Colonies, and their determination to
enforce the Resolutions of the Continental and
Provincial Congresses, ...
1 1, Committee report the assent of Dr. Zubly's
Congregation to his appointment, and that they
are willing to spare him for a time, for the
good of the common cause, ....
Address to the Govemour reported, agreed to,
and a Committee appointed to present it,
12, Ways and Means to raise and sink Ten Thousand
Pounds Sterling, considered in Committee of
the Whole, ......
Congress while sitting, and the Council of Safe-
ty in its recess, empowered to issue Certificates
to the amount of Ten Thousand Pounds Stori-
ng,
Persons who may refuse to receive such Certifi-
cates in payment to be considered enemies of
the Province, and treated accordingly, -
1543
1543
1543
1543
1543
1543
- 1544
1545
1545
1545
1545
1547
1547
1547
1547
1547
1547
1547
- 1547
1548
1548
1548
1548
- 1548
1550
- 1550
1551
- 1551
1551
1775.
JulyXo, Association entered into at Savannah, on the 5th
of June last, approved of, and adopted by the
Congress, - - - - - - 1551
Committee to present the Association to all the
Inhabitants of Savannah, to be signed, - - 1552
14, Committee appointed to consider and report upon
the qualifications of voters for Delegates to the
Provincial Congress, and an equal representa-
tion, ....... 1552
Directions to Magistrates relative to issuing sum-
monses and warrants, for the recovery of debts, 1552
Report of the Committee on the qualification of
voters and equal representation, presented and
adopted, 1552
Form of Credentials for Delegates to the Provin-
cial Congress recommended to the Inhabitants
of the several Parishes and Districts, - - 1552
15. Committee on the better governing the Militia
of the Province appointed, - - - - 1553
Committee appointed to communicate to the In-
habitants of the Province an account of the
disputes between Great Britain and the Colo-
nies, and the Proceedings of this Congress, - 1553
Delegates to a new Congress to be elected be-
tween the 20th of August and 1st of Septem-
ber, next, ----.-- 1553
Delegates for Savannah to be chosen on the 15th
of September, .--..- 1553
Delegates for Savannah, and such other Dele-
gates as may be there appointed, a General
Committee for the Province, - - - 1553
17, Rev. Haddon Smith declared to be unfriendly
to America, for refusing to join on a day of
Fasting and Prayer recommended by the Con-
gress, ....... 1554
Delegates appointed to go to Philadelphia, di-
rected to apply to the Continental Congress to
incorporate this Province with the other United
Provinces of America, .... 1554
Adjourned to the 19th day of August, unless
sooner convened by the General Committee, - 1554
25, Address to the Inhabitants of the Province of
Georgia, by the Committee appointed on the
15th instant, 1554
14, Letter from Archibald Bullock to George John-
stone, London, enclosing a Letter from the
Committee of Intelligence, ... - 1555
14, Letter from the Committee of Intelligence, for
Georgia, to George Johnstone, London, en-
closing a Petition to the King, ... 1555
14, Petition to the King, from the Provincial Con-
gress of Georgia, - - - - - 1556
4, The Law of Liberty: a Sermon preached before
the Provincial Congress of Georgia, at Savan-
nah, on the 4th of July, 1775, - - - 1557
July 4
4,
*,
4,
CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, ETC.
Letter from the Committee of Intelligence at
Charlestown, South-Carolina, to the Continen-
tal Congress, enclosing copies of intercepted
Letters from Lord Dartmouth to Governour
Wright of Georgia, Governour Martin of
North-Carolina, and to the Lieutenant-Go-
vernour of South-Carolina, dated March 3,
1775, - - - - - -
Letter from the Committee of Intelligence at
Charlestown to the Committee at Newborn,
North-Carolina, .....
Letter from the Committee of Intelligence at
Charlestown to the Committee at Savannah,
Georgia, -------
Account of the seizure of the Mail in Charles-
town, on the 2d of July, by the Secret Com-
mittee, with despatches from the Earl of Dart-
mouth to the Southern Governours, (Note,) -
Somerset County, Maryland, Committee, declare
James Dooe inimical to the Liberties of
America, ---.-..
List of Officers of the Green Mountain Boys, -
Letter from John N. Bleecker, with an account
of Provisions delivered over by him to Elisha
Phelps, at Albany, ....
Mr. Phelps's Warrant as Commissary, from the
Governour of Connecticut, - - -
Letter from William Schuyler to John Marlett
only one person in Warrensburgh. New-
York, has signed the Association, - - 1571
1567
1567
1568
1569
1569
1570
- 1570
- 1570
CXXIX
1775.
July 4,
CONTENTS.
cxxx
4,
4,
4,
4,
5,
5,
5,
7,
5,
Letter from Brook Watson, near Montreal, to
the New- York Congress. The Troops at
Fort George, Ticonderoga and Crown Point
talk and act as if it was determined they should
soon march to Quebeck. This cannot be the
intention of the General Congress ; if they
suffer the People to proceed to extremes no-
thing but the sword can determine the contest,
Letter from Governour Cooke to the Continen-
tal Congress. The Army of Rhode- Island,
near Boston, consists of thirteen hundred and
ninety effective Men; we are also equipping
two Armed Vessels, to carry one hundred Men,
exclusive of Officers; the Colony will exert
itself in unremitting efforts for the common de-
fence and safety, .....
Letter from the Massachusetts Congress to Go-
vernour Trumbull, -----
Letter from James Warren and Joseph Hawley to
Gen. Washington, relative to the appointments
of Generals Pomeroy, Heath and Thomas, -
Letter from the Committee of Correspondence
of Bradford to the Massachusetts Committee of
Safety, respecting Captain Gage's Company
deserting the cause of their Country, -
Letter from one of the Virginia Delegates, at
Philadelphia, to a friend n Williamsburgh.
The New-Englanders are fitting out Priva-
teers. They are now intent on burning Boston,
in order to oust the Regulars, and none are
more eager for it than those who have left
their whole property in it. Nobody now
doubts that we are able to cope with England,
if we exert ourselves, - - - -
New- York Committee of Secrecy and Inspection
report their examination of the Snow Christy,
from Greenock, .....
New- York Committee. Regulations for the
examination of Vessels from Great Britain or
Ireland, to prevent the introduction of Goods
prohibited by the Continental Association,
Account of Receipts and Expenditures on account
of the New- York Committee, ...
New- York Committee. Order for the arrest of
William McLeod, a British Officer,
Letter from Burnet Miller to the New- York
Congress. Requesting some Troops may be
stationed at Montauk, for their protection and
that of their stock, which is very large, and
much exposed to the ravages of our unnatural
enemy, -----.
Letter from Joseph Johnson, a Mohegan Indian,
at Hartford, complaining of the injury done
him by some white men and Indians in Con-
necticut, who charge him with having turned
a high Tory, .....
1571
1572
1480
1573
- 1648
1573
1574
1574
1575
1576
- 1577
i,
e
i-
d
- 1577
1775.
CONNECTICUT ASSEMBLY.
July 1, Connecticut Assembly meet at Hartford, - - 1579
List of the Members, 1579
Act in addition to the Act for the special defence
and safety of the Colony, .... 1580
Two additional Regiments, of seven hundred
Men each, to be enlisted, equipped, &c. - - 1581
Officers of the Seventh and Eighth Regiments, - 1681
Act for supplying the Troops ordered to be
raised for the special defence and safety of this
Colony, with necessary Fire-Arms, - - 1 582
Two Vessels to be immediately fitted out, and
armed with a proper number of Cannon,
Small-Arms and necessary warlike stores, for
the defence of the Sea-Coast of the Colony, - 1583
Governour directed to make a friendly answer to
the Speech of the Oneida Indians, - - 1584
Jabez Hamlin appointed to collect Saltpetre and
Sulphur, to be sent to the Powder Mills in
Dutchess County, New- York, ... 1584
Governour authorized to permit the exportation
of live Cattle, in certain cases, - - - 1584
Emission of Bills of Credit, to the amount of
Fifty Thousand Pounds, authorized, - - 1584
Captain Delaplace and others to be removed from
Hartford, 1585
Representation of Connecticut Officers to the As-
sembly, against the Continental arrangement
of Genera] Officers, which degrades General
Spencer from the rank he held, - 1585
Governour requested to write to the Connecticut
Fourth Series. — Vol. ii.
Delegates in the Continental Congress, remon-
strating against the promotion of Putnam over
Wooster and Spencer, .... 1585
Report of Benjamin Henshaw to the Committee
appointed to procure Lead for the use of the
Colony, and of his proceedings in quest of a
suitable Smelter or Refiner of Lead Ore, - 1586
Report of the Committee appointed to procure
Lead for the use of the Colony, - - - 1587
Committee appointed to examine the Lead Mines
in Woodbury, 1588
Committee appointed to work the Lead Mine in
Middletown, 1588
Report of the Committee on Indian Affairs; they
acquit Joseph Johnson of the charge made
against him of being unfriendly to America, - 1588
CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, ETC.
July 5, Letter from Joseph Hawley to General Wash-
ington. There are many brave Officers in
the Massachusetts Army, but there are some
whose characters are very equivocal with re-
spect to courage ; he suggests that a declara-
tion in general orders, that any Officer who
shall act the poltron in the day of battle shall
meet his deserts, whatever his rank, connexions
or interest may be, 1589
5, Committee of Duke's County, Massachusetts,
report on the conduct of the Towns of the
County, 1589
6, Address by the Meeting for Sufferings, held by
the Quakers in Philadelphia, for Pennsylvania
and New- Jersey, ----- 1590
6, Letter to the New- York Congress, from their
Delegates in Philadelphia. They have no-
thing more at heart than to be instrumental
in compromising the unnatural quarrel be-
tween the Colonies and Great Britain, and re-
ceive with gratitude the plan of accommoda-
tion with the Parent State, sent them by the
Provincial Congress, - - - - - 1591
6, Letter from the Committee of Elizabethtown,
New-Jersey, to the New- York Committee, - 1591
6, Captains appointed by the New- York Provincial
Congress for the enlistment of Volunteers, for
the defence of the Liberties of America, in the
first Battalion raised in the City of New- York, 1592
6, Letter from Edward Mott, at Albany, to Govern-
our Trumbull. Colonel Arnold, when he was
directed to deliver over the command of Ticon-
deroga and Crown Point to Colonel Hinman,
refused to do"so, and disbanded his Men, except
those he took with him on board the Vessels
on the Lake, which he seized, and threatened
to take them to St. John's, and deliver them up
to the Regulars. He also seized, confined and
abused the gentlemen who went to remon-
strate with him on his conduct, - - - 1 592
6, Letter from Ethan Allen to Governour Trum-
bull. Is now on his way from New- York, to
raise seven Companies of Green Mountain
Boys, under the authority of the Continental
and New- York Congresses, ... 1593
6, Letter from Captain Angus McDonald to Colonel
McDougall, complaining of his confinement in
Fairfield Jail, 1593
6, Letter from Governour Trumbull to General
Schuyler. Can supply him with no more
than fifteen thousand Pounds of Money, and
forty half barrels of Powder, ... 1594
Narrative and Remarks by a Gentleman who
left Montreal, in Canada, the 14th of June last;
enclosed by Gov. Trumbull to Gen. Schuyler, 1594
6, Report to the Massachusetts Congress, by their
Committee appointed to examine the Fortresses
of Ticonderoga and Crown Point, and their
condition for defence, .... 1596
Copy of the Warrant to Brown and Edwards to
supply the Massachusetts Troops at Ticonde-
roga, 1598
Order of the Committee to Colonel Arnold, dated
Crown Point, June 23, 1775, - - -1598
Letter from Colonel Arnold to the Committee,
resigning his Commission, dated Crown Point,
June 24, 1775, 1598
LetteT from Jonas Fay, in behalf of Capt. Her-
rick, to the Committee, dated Ticonderoga,
June 28, 1775, 1599
CXXXI
1775
CONTENTS.
CXXXll
1G00
- 1600
1600
- 1601
- 1601
1602
- 1602
7,
7,
7,
1603
1604
- 1604
Ordnance Stores at Crown Point and Ticonde-
gs, June 23, 1775, -
J»iy&i Letter from Theodore Atkimon to the New-
Hampehirs Congress. Refuses to deiiw op
ill. Publick Records, or OOBOive at a delivery:
but has no thoughts of attempting to retain
them in his custody by force, -
Letter prepared by Air." Atkinson on the same
subject, but not sent to the Congress, (Note,) -
7, Letter from Mr. Atkinson to Governour Went-
worth, informing him of the demand made upon
him by the Provincial Concn II for the Pub-
lick Records; of his refusal to deliver them;
and of their seizure and removal by a Com
mittee of the Congress, -
Resolution of the Provincial Congn sb, demand-
ing the Records of the Secretary,
7, Proceedings at a Court of Common Council,
London, on the Letter from the Committee of
New- York to the Lord Mayor. Refuse to
answer the Letter from the Committee, and
order an Address to the King, -
Address of the Corporation of London to the
King, requesting him to cause hostilities to
cease between Great Britain and America,
7, Letter from Doctor Franklin to Doctor Priestley.
Another Petition to the Crown has been car-
ried with difficulty. Britain has begun to burn
our Seaport Towns; if she wishes to have us
subjects, she is now giving us such specimens
of her government that we shall ever detest
and avoid it, as a complication of robbery, mur-
der, famine, fire and pestilence, - - - -
Letter from John Dickinson to Arthur Lee,
Letter from General Woo6ter to the New- York
Congress, .....
Letter from the Committee for Westchester Coun-
ty, New- York, to the Provincial Congress. —
Many, if not a majority of the Militia Officers
of the County endeavour to counteract the
measures of the Congress, ... 1604
Letter from the Committee lor Kingston, New-
York, to the Provincial Congress, - - 1605
Letter from Elisha Phelps to the New- York
Congress. Flour is so scarce at Albany that
the Troops at Ticonderoga will sutler if sup-
plies are not obtained immediately, - - 1605
Letter from Colonel Hinman, at Ticonderoga, to
Gen. Schuyler. The Regulate are fortifying
St. John's, and building some water-craft there,
but with what intent we cannot determine, - 1605
Letter from Governour Trumbull to the New-
York Provincial Congress, ... 1781
Letter from Governour Trumbull to the Presi-
dent of the Continental Congress, - - 1606
Orders from the Committee of Safety of New-
Hampshire to Captain Bi del, directing him to
proceed to Northumberland or Lancaster, and,
in conjunction with the inhabitants, erect works
of deftnee against small-arms; and to estab-
lish Garrisons at such places on the frontiers
as may be deemed necessary; send out Scouts;
conciliate the Indians, and to arrest suspected
persons, .......
8, Letter from London to a Gentleman in Philadel-
phia. Should it cost all the blood and trea-
sure of Old England, the Ministry would pro-
secute their efforts to subdue the Colonies. If
ou submit, sixty of you are to be hanged in
Philadelphia, and the same number in New-
York. Five hundnd Pounds is offend for
Captain Sears's In ml in particular,
John Holt, of New-Yoik, among the number of
the proscribed who are ordered to be sent to
England, (Note,) ...
Letter from the Independent Company of Alcxan
dria, in Virginia, to General Washington,
Letter from the Messrs. Bradfords, of Philadcl-
Shia, to the Printer of a publick Paper in Lon-
on. The Ministerial account may gloss over
the affair of Bunker's Hill, but a few more
such victories would leave General Gage but
a few men ; and we should joyfully put up with
the disgrace of a retttiat every day for a month,
upon the same terms, .... 1608
8, Letter from the North-Carolina Delegates, at
Philadelphia, to the New- York Congress, re-
questing them to mi' B \> i supposed to
be sent lor Gunpowder for Governour Martin, 1609
7,
7,
1767
y
i>:
8,
8,
1607
- 1607
1608
8,
8,
8,
8,
1775.
Jul i/8. Letter from the New- York Congress to Charles
Thomson,
8, Letter from Henry White to the New- York Con-
gress, denying a connection with Governour
Martin, -------
8, Ezekicl Beach published as an enemy to the
Country, by the Committee for Mendham, in
Morris County, New-Jersey, - •
8, Letter from the Massachusetts Congress to the
New- Hampshire Congress. Approve of Mr.
Dean's being sent to the Continental Congress;
and think it a matter of great importance to
America in general to satisfy our friends in
America that we are truly friendly to them, -
Letter from General Burgoyne to General Lee, -
Petition of the Selectmen and Committee of Safe-
ty for Harpswell to the Massachusetts Con-
gress, -------
Letter from the New-Hampshire Committee of
Safety to Dr. Langdon, -
Letter from the New-Hampshire Committee of
Safety to their Delegates in the Continental
Congress, giving them general information of
the state of affairs in New-Hampshire, and
requesting that provision may be made for
furnishing them with Gunpowder, as they
are almost destitute of it, -
7, Letter from the Provincial Congress of New-
Hampshire to the Continental Congress. The
Colony is at present wholly governed by this
Congress and the Committees of the Towns:
some other regulations are desired, but none
will be attempted without the direction of the
Continental Congress, -
9, Letter from London to a Gentleman in New-
York. The scheme of the Ministry is now
to deceive and divide the New-Yorkers, since
they find mere force like to answer no valua-
ble end, -------
9, Address of the Committee of Safety, Correspond-
ence and Protection, of the City and County
of Albany, to General Schuyler,
Answer of General Schuyler, -
9, Letter from the Massachusetts Congress to the
Continental Congress . suggesting to them the
expediency of seizing every Crown Officer
in the United Colonies, and keeping them
until the People of Boston are released, and
have received full compensation for the insults
and perfidious treatment they have received
from General Gage, -
Letter from the Camp at Cambridge to a Gentle-
man in Philadelphia. Account of the burn-
ing of the British Guard-House on Roxbury
Neck,
Letter from a Gentleman in London to his friend
in New- York. The eyes of Government are
fixed on the Congress and their Resolutions,
and perhaps on their proposals; for it is said
that Administration cannot yield, it being con-
trary to the dignity of the Crown,
Letter from London to a Gentleman in Mary-
land. The People here did not imagine the
Americans would light, but thought a handful
of Regulais would frighten the Americans
into compliance. The Ministry wisii they
were well rid of the business,
Speech of Governour Lord William Camp-
bell to the Council and Assembly of South-
Carolina, -"
Address of the Upper House of Assembly of
South-Carolina to the Governour,
His Excellency's Answer, -
12, Address of the Commons House of Assembly of
South-Carolina to the Governour,
Answer of the Governour, - - - -
Message from the Commons House to the Go-
vernour, ---..,
Meeting of the Committee for Fincastle County,
Virginia. The conduct of Lord Dunmore in
seizing the Powder reflects dishonour on him-
self; the conduct of Patrick Henry on the
occasion merits the highest approbation ; the
Council in advising the Proclamation of .May
3d, show they are become the abject tools of a
detested Administration, ....
10, Letter from Philadelphia to a Gentleman in Eng-
land. Throughout the country the Inhabi-
tants are training, making Fire- Locks, casting
1609
1609
1610
1498
1610
- 1612
1612
1612
1613
1614
1615
1615
9,
10,
10,
10,
11,
12,
12,
12,
10,
- 1616
1616
1617
- 1617
- 1617
1618
1619
1619
1620
- 1620
1620
CXXXIII
1775.
Shells and Shot, and making- Saltpetre for the
Gunpowder Mills. A spirit of enthusiasm
for war has gone forth that has driven away
the fear of death, 1G21
July 10, Petition of Samuel Falkenhan and David Wool-
haupter to the New- York Congress, - - 1621
10, Letter from General Schuyler to Governour
Trumbull, - 1621
10, Association of Merchants of New- York, to give
circulation to Bills of Credit of Connecticut, - 1622
New- York Committee recommend the circula-
tion of Bills of Credit of Connecticut, - - 1622
1 0, Letter from Montreal to a Gentleman in England.
The Martial Law is in force; the Canadians
are enrolled as Militia, and Officers appointed
them by the Governour, - 1623
1 0, Letter from General Washington to the Massa-
chusetts Congress; has learned with great
concern the inadequate strength of the Army ;
the number of Men from Massachusetts does
not amount to nine thousand; in the whole
Army not more than fourteen thousand five
hundred fit for duty, ] 623
10, Letter from General Washington to General
Schuyler, - - - - - - 1623
10, Letter from General Washington to the Presi-
dent of the Continental Congress, - - 1624
Return of the number of Killed, Wounded and
Missing, in the engagement on Bunker's Hill, 1628
Proceedings of a Council of War, held at Head-
Quarters, Cambridge, July 9, 1775, - -1628
Returns of the Army of the United Colonies,
commanded by George Washington, General
and Commander-in-Chief, - 1629
Instructions for the Officers of the Massachusetts-
Bay Forces, who are immediately to go upon
the recruiting service, given at Head-Quar-
ters, July 10, 1775, 1630
. General Orders, from July 3 to July 10, - - 1G30
10, Letter from General Washington to Richard
Henry Lee, .... . 1535
10, Letter from General Thomas to General Wash-
ington ; sends him prisoner a Master of a
Vessel from Boston, who has long been a sus-
pected person, ------ 1637
10, Notice of the Town-Clerk of Boston to the late
Inhabitants of that Town, to meet at Concord
on the 18th of July, to choose Representatives
to the General Assembly, - 1637
10, Letter from the Camp at Cambridge to a Gen-
tleman in Philadelphia. Present situation of
the two Armies, ----- 1637
1 0, Letter from General Lee to the Massachusetts
Congress, ------ 1633
10, Letter from the Massachusetts Congress to Gen-
eral Lee, 1638
1 1, Letter from General Lee to General Burgoyne,
declining the interview with him, - - 1638
Remarks on General Burgoyne's Letter to Gen-
eral Lee, dated July 8, 1775, - - - 1639
Letter to General Burgoyne, on the subject of his
late correspondence with General Lee, - 1641
Declaration of Adam McCulloch, - - - 1642
Address to the People of England, - 1643
Letter from John Grennell to the New- York
Congress, ------ 1644
Letter from the New- York Committee of Safety
to their Delegates in the Continental Congress.
The supply of Powder has not yet been received
from the Committee of Elizabethtown, and the
want of it prevents supplying the very pressing
demands from the Camp before Boston. There
is great difficulty in carrying into execution
the Resolutions of Congress, from the want of
Money, 1780
Letter from General Wooster to the New- York
Committee of Safety, requesting their advice
about disposing of a Prisoner, who must be
tent somewhere, to be out of the way of an
enraged People, ----- 1545
Letter from the New- York Committee of Safety
to William Duer, one of the Judges of Char-
lotte County, approving his conduct in keeping
open and protecting the Courts, - - - 1779
Meeting of the New- York Committee, - - 1645
Letter from < teneral Schuyler to the President
of the Continental Congress, ... 1645
Letter from Colonel Arnold to the Continental
Congress, .-..-. 1646
CONTENTS.
1775.
July 1
CXXX1V
10,
11,
11,
11,
11,
11,
11,
II,
II,
1648
1648
1783
1, Letter from General Schuyler to the New- York
Congress: requests them to send him imme-
diately a person fit to command the Sloop on
Lake Champlain, ..... 1647
11, Letter from Elisha Phelps, at Albany, to the
New- York Congress, - - - - 1647
1 1, Letter from Edmund Bridge, of Pownalborough,
to the Massachusetts Congress. The Inhabi-
tants are in danger of perishing by famine.
General Gage offers to supply them with pro-
visions if they will send him fuel ; this they
have refused to do. If they have bread, they
are ready to sacrifice their lives in the common
cause, .......
12, Meeting of the Officers of the Military Associa-
tion for the City and Liberties of Philadelphia,
12, Letter from the New- York Committee of Safety
to Colonel Hinman. General Schuyler has
proceeded to the Northward, and will make
every arrangement in stationing the Troops
that will be for the general defence of the
United Colonies, .....
12, Letter from the New- York Committee of Safety
to their Delegates in the Continental Congress.
They have formed into four Battalions the
three thousand Men, exclusive of the Green
Mountain Boys, which they were required to
raise by the Continental Congress, and would
be glad to be informed what their pay is to be.
There is no Powder for these Troops when
raised, ------- 1784
12, Letter from General Schuyler to the New- York
Congiess, ...... 1649
12, Letter from Ethan Allen, at Bennington, to Go-
vernour Trumbull. If we do not march an
army into Canada, the Indians and Canadians,
who, in general, are disposed to be neuter, or
assistants to the United Colonies, will be com-
pelled to join against us, - - - 1649
12, Letter from Governour Cooke to General Wash-
ington, .....,- 1649
12, Proclamation by Governour Cooke, requiring
every man in Rhode- Island, able to bear arms,
immediately to equip himself with Arms and
Ammunition, ...... 1650
12, Letter from Cambridge to a Gentleman in Phila-
delphia. Several skirmishes with the enemy, 1650
12, Letter from General Gates to General Lee,
urging him to complete his works without
delay, ....... 1651
12, Letter from the Massachusetts Committee of
Supplies to the New-Hampshire Congress, - 1651
12, Selectmen of Francestown, New- Hampshire,
declare the Committee for that Town were
legally chosen, and that their acts are valid, - 1651
13, Committee for the County of Hillsborough, New-
Hampshire, declare John Quigly an enemy
to the Country, ----- 1652
John Quigly's Declaration of attachment to the
Liberties of America, .... 1652
Committee of Francestown are satisfied with John
Quigly's Declaration, and request he may be
treated as a friend to his Country, - - 1652
13, Meeting of the Committee of Observation for
Baltimore Town. Intercepted Letter from
James Christie, Merchant of Baltimore, laid
before the Committee: Proceedings upon it.
Mr. Christie declared an enemy to this Coun-
try, ...-.-- 1652
Copy of the Letter written by Mr. Christie to
Lieutenant- Colonel Gabriel Christie, of His
Majesty's Sixtieth Regiment, at Antigua, dated
Baltimore, February 22, 1775, - - - 1652
13, Letter from the New- York Committee of Safety
to General Schuyler, enclosing their Letter of
the 12th, to Colonel Hinman, - - - 1785
13, Letier from the New- York Committee of Safety
to General Wooster, requesting information
as to a complaint that a Barge belonging to
His Majesty's Ship Asia had been drawn on
shore and detained, and that last night His
Majesty's store house, near Hudson's River,
hud been broken open, and divers effects car-
nrd away by violence, and that some of the
Troops under his command had been con-
cerned in both these acts, - - - - 1785
13, Calm Address to the People of New- York, - 1655
13' Letter from Elisha Phelps, at Albany, to the
New- York Congress, .... 1657
- 1657
1658
1658
1658
1659
1659
1660
1661
1662
- 1665
1788
cxxxv
1775.
July 13, Letter from Egbert Benson to Peter Van Brugh
Livingston, .....
13, Albany, New- York, Committee, authorize any
four of their Delegates to the Provincial Con-
gress to act for the County, -
13, Committee of Safety for Connecticut. The diffi-
culty with General Spencer arranged ; he
complained of and resented the promotion of
( it neral Putnam over liim, but was persuaded
to return to the Army for the present, -
13, Letter from Governour Trumbull to General
Washington : congratulating him on his ap-
pointment as Commander-in-Chief of the Ame-
rican Army, ------
14, Recantation of James Leonard and others, of
Ulster County, New- York, who had hereto-
fore refused to sign the Association,
14, Letter from General Washington to the Presi-
dent of Congress, -
True account of the Officers of the Ministerial
Troop Killed and Wounded at the Battle of
Charlestown, June 17, 1775, -
General Orders from July 1 1 to July 14, -
13, Cou.t Martial held for the trial of Colonel Scam-
mons, of the Massachusetts Forces, accused of
backwardness in the execution of his duty in
the late action upon Bunker's Hill,
15, Letter from General Wooster to the New- York
Committee of Safety: proposes to remove his
encampment, which is now too near to the
City, to Harlem, ....
13, Letter from the New- York Committee of Safety
to their Delegates in the Continental Congress.
Our enlisted men grow uneasy for want of
money, which prevents the enlistment of others:
we have no arms, we have no powder, we have
no blankets : for God's sake send us money,
send us arms, send us ammunition. Be pru-
dent, be expeditious, -
15, Letter from the New- York Committee of Safety
to General Schuyler. We have ordered Tents
to Albany for one Regiment; our Troops can
be of no service to you ; they have no arms,
clothes, blankets, or ammunition ; the Officers
no commissions ; our Treasury no money; and
ourselves in debt, ..... 1730
15, Letter from General Schuyler, at Saratoga, to
the President of Congress, - 1665
14, Letter from the Albany Committee to General
Schuyler, with alarming accounts from Tryon
County, ' - 1666
13, Letter from the Tryon County Committee to the
Committees of Schenectady and Albany. Co-
lonel Guy Johnson is ready with eight'or nine
hundred Indians under Joseph Brandt and
Walter Butler to attack Tryon County ; and
all the enemies of the Country it is feared
will rise in arms on approach of the Indians, 1666
Return of the Army of the Associated Colonies,
in the Colony of New- York, under the com-
mand of General Schuyler, - ... 1667
15, Letter from Gen. Schuyler to Gen. Washington, 1668
15, Letter from the Tryon County, New- York, Com-
mittee, to the Provincial Congress, - - 1668
15, Letter from the Committee for Newbury, Glou-
cester County, New- York, to the Provincial
Congress, 1668
16, Letter from General Schuyler to General Wash-
ington: enclosing a Letter from Albany and
two other papers, which have, in some mea-
sure, removed his apprehensions for the safety
of the Pople of Tryon County, - 1669
15, Letter from the Albany Committee to General
Schuyler, 1669
8, Letter from Colonel Guy Johnson to the New-
York Congress: opened and read by the Alba-
ny Committee, and a copy sent to General
Schuyler,, , - - - - 1669
15, Examination of Garret Roseboom, of the City of
Albany, before the Subcommittee, - . 1670
16, Letter from General Schuyler to the New- York
Congress. Intelligence from all quarters evinces
the necessity of strengthening the Garrisons of
Ticonderoga and Crown Point . the fatal con-
sequences that would follow their loss are too
evident to need illustration, - 1671
17, Meeting of Merchants of Dublin 1 thanks to Lord
Effingham, for having refused to serve against
the Americans, ---... 1Q72
CONTENTS.
exxxw
1775.
Ja/yl7,Committee for Charles County, Maryland. Cer-
tificates for goods imported into this County
must be signed by five of the Committee of the
place whence they are sent, - ... 1673
17, Letter to the New- York Congress, from the
President of the Continental Congress, - - 1673
17, Letter to the New- York Corlgress, from their
Delegates at Philadelphia, recommending Mor-
gan Lewis for the appointment of Brigade Ma-
jor to the Army under the command of Gene-
ral Schuyler, -..--- 1674
17, Letter from the Elizabethtown, New- Jersey,
Committee, to the Committee for New- York,
informing them they have forwarded four hogs-
heads, containing fifty. two quarter casks of
Powder from Philadelphia, - - - - 1674
17, Elizabethtown, New-Jersey, Committee, restore
the Inhabitants of Richmond County, New-
York, to their commercial privileges, they
having, in general, signed the Association, - 1674
17, Letterfrom the Committee of Safety for New- York
to the Colonels of the several Regiments : re-
questing them to make a return of the number
of Men ready and fit for service, in each Com-
pany, with all possible despatch, - 1674
17, Letter from John Lamb to the New- York Com-
mittee of Safety, requesting permission to enlist
his own Men for the Artillery, ... 1675
17, Letter from the Albany Committee to the New-
York Congress; enclosing four intercepted Let-
ters, and one from Colonel Guy Johnson, da-
ted July 8th, of which they had sent a copy to
General Schuyler, ..... 1675
17, Letter from Governour Trumbull to General
Washington, ...... 1676
17, Letter from Governour Trumbull to General
Schuyler, - 1676
17, Conduct of Captains Ayscough and Wallace,
commanders of British Vessels of War, towards
the Inhabitants of Newport, Rhode- bland: of
their firing on the Town, seizure of vessels, and
threats to set fire to the Town, ... 1677
17, Committee for Lancaster, Worcester County,
Massachusetts, publish Nahum Houghton as
an enemy to his Country, .... 1678
14, Message from Governour Wentworth to the
New-Hampshire Assembly, requesting them
to rescind the vote excluding three Members
from the House returned by the King's writ, - 1678
Answer to the Governour's Message, refusing to
rescind the vote, ..... 1679
Message from the Governour to the House; their
refusing to rescind the vote for excluding the
three Members for Plymouth, Lyme, and Or-
ford, shows they did not meet with a disposi-
tion to proceed to business; he therefore adjourns
them to the 28th of September next, - - 1679
18, Letter from John Stuart, Superintendent of In-
dian Affairs, to the Committee of Intelligence
at Charlestown, South-Carolina, ... 1681
18, Proceedings of the Committee at Dagsberry, Dela-
ware, on the charges against Thomas Robinson,
of counteracting the measures of the Continen-
tal Congress, ...... 1682
18, Letter from the New- York Committee of Safety
to their Delegates in the Continental Congress.
A Committee was appointed by the Provincial
Congress previous to their adjournment, on the
subject of a Congress with the Five Nations:
the proceedings relating to it are enclosed, - 1793
18, Letter to the New- York Committee of Safety,
from their Delegates in the Congress. They
are sensible of the distress to which New- York
must be reduced for want of Money, Arms, and
Powder: the first will soon be supplied; no as-
surances can be given of a supply of Arms and
Ammunition, ...... 1684
18, Letter from Dr. John Mallett, (on board the
Ship Asia,) to William Allman, New- York ;
instructing him how he may convey a quantity
of Medicines from the City of New-York, on
board the Asia, -.---. 1684
18, Letter from General Schuyler, at Ticonderoga,
to Governour Trumbull, .... 1685
18, Letter from General Schuyler to General Wash-
ington. Carleton has about four hundred Men
at St. John's, which he has well secured: at Ti-
conderoga nothing has been done for offi nee
or defence, ----.. 1055
1775.
21,
21,
cxxxvil CONTENTS.
1775.
July 1 8, Letter from General Washington to Governour
Trumbull, in reply to his Letter of the 13th
instant, .--..-- 1686
18, Letter from General Washington to Governour
Trumbull : regrets that the arrangement of the
General Officers has produced dissatisfaction ;
the subject is now before the Continental Con-
gress, ....... 1686
18, Letter from Governour Trumbull to President
Hancock. He omitted to state, in his Letter of
the 7th instant, that the Assembly had ordered
two Vessels to be fitted out, armed, and fur-
nished with men and warlike stores, for the
defence of the Sea-Coasts of the Colony. (Fac
simile,) opposite ..... 1686
18, Declaration by the Continental Congress of the
causes and necessity of their taking up arms,
read before the Army, on Prospect Hill, near
Boston, 1687
1 8, Instructions of General Gage to Captain Duncan
Campbell and Lieutenant Symes ; to proceed
to New- York, and receive such Men as may
be inclined to serve His Majesty, - - 1G87
19, Letter from a Gentleman in Fredericktown, Ma-
ryland, to his friend in Baltimore. Reception
there of Captain Morgan's company of Rifle-
men, from Virginia, on their way to Boston, - 1687
19, Meeting of the Committee for Piscataway and
Bladensburgh, Maryland. Declare Luke Jef-
ferson and the several persons concerned in
importing, vending, purchasing, and receiving
certain goods from the Ships Diana and Eo-
lus, lying in the Eastern Branch of the Poto-
mack River, guilty of violating the Association
of the Continental Congress, ... 1Q88
19, Letter from John Hancock to General Washing-
ton, introducing to him Mr. Ogden and Mr.
Burr of the Jerseys, ----- 1689
19, Letter from John Hancock to the New- York
Committee of Safety; requesting them to send
what Powder they can spare to the Camp
before Boston, - - 1689
19, Address of the Committee of Safety of Hills-
borough, New- Hampshire, to Gen. Sullivan, - 1689
General Sullivan's Answer, .... 1689
19, Letter from General Sullivan to the New- Hamp-
shire Committee of Safety. The Army at
Medford is in great want of Bayonets, Guns
and Blankets, and Beds for the sick ; the New-
Hampshire Forces are without a Chaplain, - 1690
19, Letter from Colonel Reid to the New-Hamp-
shire Committee of Safety, ... - 1690
20, Committee for Wilmington, North-Carolina, re-
solve that John Collet should remain in posses-
sion of Fort Johnson. Collet escapes, and the
Fort is destroyed and the buildings burnt, - 1691
20, Letter from the several Volunteer Companies at
Williamsburgh, Virginia, to the Committee of
the Borough of Norfolk, requesting to be in-
formed of the truth of a report that there are
Volunteers recruiting in Norfolk in opposition
to the Continental plan, - - - - 1691
Answer of the Committee to the Volunteers:
the report is without foundation, - 1692
20, Letter from Captain Montague of the Fowey, to
Captain Squire of the Otter, in Hampton Roads, 1692
20, Pastoral Letter from the Synod of New- York
and Philadelphia, to the Congregations under
their care, delivered from the Pulpit on the
20th of July, 1775, being the day appointed by
the Continental Congress for a General Fast, - 1692
20, Letter from Ethan Allen, at Ticonderoga, to the
New-York Congress, .... 1695
20, Letter from Watertown, Massachusetts, to a Gen-
tleman in Philadelphia. Situation and opera-
tions of the Army, , - . . . 1696
20, Notice by order of Admiral Graves to all Sea-
faring People, that the Light Houses on
Thatcher's Island and at the entrance of Bos-
ton have been burnt and destroyed by the
Rebels, - - - - - - - 1696
20, Letter from Salem, in Massachusetts, to a Gen-
tleman in London : within these few days we
have had oilers of assistance from some Mari-
time Powers secretly conveyed to us ; their
offers are at present rejected, ... \QQQ
21, Newbern, North-Carolina, Committee, suspend
the Rev. James Reed, Minister of the Parish,
fiom his ministerial functions, for refusing to
CXXX11I
officiate yesterday, being the day appointed by
the Continental Congress for a General Fast, 1697
July2\, Letter from Benjamin Harrison to Gen. Wash-
ington. Proceedings of Congress and opinions
of the Members on various subjects, - - 1697
21, Meeting of the Committee for Bucks County,
Pennsylvania, ----.. 1699
21, Committee for Huntington, Long-Island, New-
York, acquit John Brush and others of the
charges against them, of having violated the
Continental or Provincial Association, - - 1699
21, Letter from Col. James Clinton to the New- York
Committee of Safety, 1700
21, Letter from Elisha Phelps to the Continental
Congress. No money has been placed in his
hands for procuring supplies for the Posts on
the Lakes ; all his purchases having been
made on credit, he requests money to enable
him to discharge the debts, ... 1700
Return of Provisions, &c, forwarded to the
Northern Army by Elisha Phelps, Commis-
sary, from the 3d to the 20th day of July, - 1701
Letter from John N. Bleecker to the New- York
Congress, 1701
Letter from General Schuyler, at Ticonderoga,
to the Continental Congress. Ammunition is
very scarce; no Powder has yet come to hand,
and as yet very little Provision ; two hundred
Troops less than at the last return ; these bad-
ly, very badly armed, and but one Armourer
to repair the Guns. Nothing has been done
for raising the five hundred Green Mountain
Boys, 1702
21, Letter from General Schuyler to the New- York
Congress : urges them to send him supplies
and Troops, 1704
21, Letter from General Schuyler to Governour
Trumbull, 1704
21, Letter from General Heath to General Washing-
ton. Account of burning the Light-House in
the Harbour of Boston, .... 1737
21, Letter from General Washington to the Conti-
nental Congress, ..... 1705
General Orders from July 15 to July 20, - 1707
21, Letter from General Washington to John Han-
cock, 1710
21, Letter from General Washington to Governour
Trumbull, 1710
21, Letter from Governour Wentworth to Theodore
Atkinson, enclosing a permit from Captain
Barclay of the Scarborough, for Boats to fish,
if the Town of Portsmouth will supply him
with fresh Provisions as usual, - 1710
22, Letter from John Hancock to the New-Hamp-
shire Congress, - - - - - 1 7 1 1
22, Letter from the New- York Committee of Safety
to their Delegates in the Continental Congress.
New-Jersey has a very considerable number
of good Muskets and Bayonets, and they sug-
gest the propriety of an order from the Conti-
nental Congress that these may be valued and
delivered to New- York, - 1797
22, Letter from General Wooster to the Continental
Congress. Will hasten the march of his Troops
to Albany as rapidly as possible, - - - 1711
22, Letter from General Schuyler to the New- York
Congress : has four important Posts to main-
tain, with a small body of Troops, very ill-
armed, and with little Ammunition, - - 1711
22, Committee of Inspection for the Town of New-
Ipswich, in New-Hampshire, publish David
Hills as a violator of the Association, - - 171 1
Appeal of David Hills to the Publick, - - 1712
Statement of Joseph Bates, Chairman of the
Committee, ...... 1712
Letter from Doctor Benjamin Church to a Bri-
tish Officer in Boston, giving him a statement
of the strength of the American Army, and
of their means of defence, - - - 1713
William Henry Drayton and the Rev. William
Tennent appointed by the Council of Safety
for South-Carolina to go to the back country,
to explain to the People the causes of the pre-
sent disputes between Great Britain and the
Colonies, - - - - - - -1715
Commission to William Henry Drayton and
Rev. William Tennent, ... - 1715
Letter to Mr. Drayton and Mr. Tennent, with
their Commission, .... - 1715
id,
23,
CXXXIX
1775.
CONTENTS.
CXL
24,
24,
24,
24,
24,
24,
24,
24,
24,
24,
Account of the Tory Leaders in the upper parts
of South-Carolina, (Note,) - - - 1715
Ju/y23,Ledet from the Schenectady, New- York, Com-
mittee, to General Schuyler, informing him of
the Sight of Alexander White, Shentl'of Tryon
County, 1730
Meeting of the Committee of Observation for
Prince George's County, Maryland, at Piscat-
away, ..----- 171G
Letter from John Adams to Mrs. Adams, - - 1717
r from John Adams to James Warren, - 1717
Letter from (ieneral Cage to the Earl of Dart-
mouth, dated August 26. The design* of the
leaders of the Rebellion prove that a plan was
1 lid in Massachusetts for a total independence,
while they amused the People with professions
of attachment to the Parent State, - - 1718
Remarks on the intercepted Letters of John
Adams, - - - - - - -1718
Letter from the New- York Committee of Safety
to the Continental Congress : are sorry to say
that the supposition of a quantity of Powder
being received there is without foundation, - 1719
Letter from Colonel Van Schaick to the New-
York Committee of Safety, - - - 1719
Return of the Second Provincial Regiment in the
Colony of New- York, under the command of
Colonel Van Schaick, - - -, -1719
Meeting of the Committee of Safety for Connect-
icut. Committee appointed to make arrange-
ments for equipping and fitting out two Armed
Vessels, 1720
Letter from Governour Trumbull to General
Schuyler. Is it not high time to proceed into,
and even hasten forward to secure the govern-
ment of Quebeck, and thereby the whole In-
dian strength and interest in our favour? - 1721
Note from General Lee to General Sullivan, - 1721
Letter from the Camp at Cambridge to a Gentle-
man in Philadelphia. Information from Bos-
ton, brought out by deserters, ... 1722
Letter from General Gage to the Earl of Dart-
mouth. The Congress, in their declaration
for taking up arms, pay little regard to facts,
for it is as replete with deceit and falsehood as
most of their publications, - - - - 1 723
Address of the Delegates of Virginia and Penn-
sylvania, in the Continental Congress, to the
Inhabitants of the two Colonies, on the West
side of Laurel Hill, urging them to lay aside
their disputes among themselves, and unite in
supporting the common rights of the Country, 1 723
Letter from the President of the Council of Safe-
ty for South-Carolina to Clement Lempriere,
commander of the Sloop Commerce, ordering
him to proceed to the Island of New-Provi-
dence and procure ail the Gunpowder he may
find there, --....
Commission from the South-Carolina Council of
Safety to Clement Lempriere, appointing him
Captain of the Sloop Commerce, belonging to
New- York, .....
Captain Hatton's Report to the Council of Safe-
ty, of the occurrences which took place on
board the Sloop Commerce, in taking the
Powder from Captain Lofthouse, off Augustine
Bar, ----...
Letter from the Elizabethtown, New-Jersey,
Committee, to the New- York Congress, -
Letter from Christopher P. Yates to the New-
York Congress, .....
Letter from Sir John Johnson to Alexander
White,
Letter from Governour Trumbull to the New-
York Congress, requesting them to furnish
Tents for the Connecticut Troops at Ticondc-
roga,
from General Thomas to General Wash-
ington, informing him of the sailing of thirteen
Ships from Boston, apparently bound to the
South,
i to a ( Jentleman in London, from an Officer
in the Army at Boston. At present we are
worse off than the Rebels: they know our
situation as well as we do ourselves, from the
villiam that are left in Town: last week one
wns caught swimming over to the Rebels, with
one of their General's passes in his pocket: he
will be hanged in a day or two. - - . 1707
25,
24,
25,
25,
25,
25,
85,
25,
1724
- 1724
1724
1726
1726
1726
1726
1727
1775.
Jul >/ 26, Letter from a Gentleman in London to his friend
in New- York. The King does not mean to
enslave the Colonies; his bosom heaves with
compassion for the People there, under an
unhappy delusion: England asks nothing but
what is for the benefit of the Colonists them-
selves, and the Parliament could not, if they
would, divest themselves of the power they
exercise over the Colonies, ... 1727
26, Letter from Marinus Willett to the New- York
Congress, ...... 1729
26, Letter from the Albany Committee to General
Schuyler. The apprehensions of the Inhabi-
tants of Tryon County, respecting the Indians,
are entirely removed, and the disputes between
the Inhabitants of the upper part of the Coun-
ty with Sir John Johnson and the Sheriff of
that County, amicably accommodated, - - 1746
26, Letter from General Schuyler to the Continental
Congress, 1729
26, Letter from General Schuyler to the New- York
Congress, 1731
26, Letter from Colonel Reed, Secretary to General
Washington, to General Wooster, - - 1731
27, Letter from James Christie, Jun., of Baltimore,
to the Publick, relative to his Letter to Col.
Christie, of Antigua, written in February last, 1732
27, Meeting of the Officers of the Military Associa-
tion for the City and Liberties of Philadelphia, 1733
27, Letter from the Committee for New-Brunswick,
New- Jersey, to the New- York Committee of
Safety, 1733
27, Letter from the New- York Congress to the Con-
tinental Congress, ..... 1734
27, Letter from General Schuyler to the Continental
Congress, - - - - - -1734
An account of the voyage of Captain Remember
Baker, begun on the 13th day of July, and
ended July 25, 1775, on Lake Champlain, - 1735
27, Letter from General Schuyler to the New- York
Congress. Such intelligence has just been
received as makes it indispensably necessary
that the stores requested on the 3d instant,
should be sent without one moment's delay, - 1735
27, Letter from General Washington to John Au-
gustine Washington, ..... 1735
27, Letter from General Washington to General
Schuyler, respecting three Companies of New-
Hampshire Troops, ----- 173C
27, Letter from Gen. Washington to the Continental
Congress. Three Men of War and nine Trans-
ports gone from Boston, as reported, to plunder
Block Island, Fisher's Island and Long Island,
and bring off what Cattle they may find, - 1736
General Orders, from July 22 to July 27, - 1737
27, Letter from Colonel Hurd to the New-Hamp-
shire Congress, ..... 1740
28, Letter from London to a Gentleman in Philadel-
phia. People here are anxious to hear the
Resolves of the Congress; and those who a
week ago thought General Gage had Troops
enough to march through America, now alter
their tone, on finding the dispute for a mile of
ground cost him one thousand and fifty-four
men wounded and slain, .... 1741
28, Letter to the Printer of the London Morning
Chronicle: on the American question, - - 1742
28, Meeting of the Committee and Officers of the
Militia Company of York County, Pennsylva-
nia. Field-Officers for the Battalion of Min-
ute-Men chosen. Regulations for the Minute-
Men and Militia of the County, - - - 1711
28, Meeting of the Freeholders of Somerset County,
in the Province of Mew-Jersey. Committee of
Correspondence elected. Committee of Inspec-
tion for the several Towns recommended; who
are to take cognizance of every person, of what-
soever rank or condition, who shall, either by
word or deed, endeavour to destroy our unani-
• niity in opposing the arbitrary and cruel mea-
sures of the British Ministry, ... 1745
28, Letter from General Schuyler to the Continental
Congress, 1745
25, Speech of two Oneida Indians, at a Conference
with the Albany Committee, on the 25th of
( Jul.V. 174G
23, Certificate from Captain Delaplacc, that he never
saw Colonel Easton at the time Ticondero«-a
was surprised, - - - - . . 1 Q87
CX LI
177:..
July 28, Letter from Governour Trumbull to General
Schuyler, ......
General Washington to General
CONTENTS.
1775.
CAM I
28,
Letter from
Schuyler,
28, Letter from Colonel Joseph Reed to Colonel
Baldwin, at Chelsea, enclosing' a Letter from
Dr. Church, with instructions to have it con-
veyed into Boston, with the utmost secrecy and
despatch; and requests him after having made
himself master of the contents of this Letter to
destroy it, ......
28, Letter from Colonel Loammi Baldwin to General
Washington, ......
28, Letter from the Massachusetts Council to Gene-
ral Gates. The Jails of Worcester, Springfield
and Northampton are the most suitable places
for securing the Prisoners, and advise them to
be sent there, ----.*-
Orders from General Gates to Captain Baker, for
the removal of Prisoners to Worcester, to be
conveyed thence to Springfield, - - -
Receipt of William Young, Chairman of the
Committee of Correspondence at Worcester,
for two Sergeants, two Corporals, eighteen Pri-
vates, and twelve Tories, prisoners, sent from
Head-Q,uarters, - - - - -
Receipt of the Chairman of the Springfield Com-
mittee for the same Prisoners, ...
28, Letter from Captain Bi del, at Haverhill, to the
New-Hampshire Committee of Safety. Obj< cts
to serving out of the Colony in the rank of
Captain; if sent to Canada, he expects to have
a Regiment, --.--.
29, Letter from Robert Washington, addressed to the
Convention of Virginia, on the defects of rtjili-
tary discipline in the American service. His
station in the Army in Europe, the last war,
made him thoroughly acquainted with all parts
of the Prussian infantry and artillery exercise,
and he freely offers his service to the publick,
to disseminate his information, -
29, Meeting of the Governour and Council of Penn-
sylvania. Petition of Dominique Du Casse,
Master of the Schooner Mary, belonging to
Martinico, laid before the Council,
29, Letter from John Adams, at Philadelphia, to
Josiah Ouincy, - - -
29, Letter from the New- York Delegates, in the
Continental Congress, to the Committee of
Safety. All the Powder that is or may be im-
ported into the Colony should be taken, and
none be permitted to go out of the Province,
but by the express direction of the Congress or
Committee of Safety, ....
29, Letter from the Albany Committee to the New-
York Congress, .....
29, Letter from Walter Livingston, at Albany, to the
New- York Congress. The Fortress at Ticon-
deroga is in a ruinous condition. I dread the
consequence if General Schuyler should be
attacked by any considerable army; he cannot
de&nd himself, and if defeated cannot retreat, -
29, Letter from General Washington to the Speaker
of the House of Representatives of Massachu-
setts, suggesting some arrangement relating to
the coming out of the Inhabitants of Boston, -
29, Letter from Colonel Baldwin to General Wash-
ington. Has had much upon his hands and
mind since he received Mr. Reed's Letter last
night, ......
31, Letter from Governour Cooke to General Wash-
ington. Has had no account yet from any part
of the coast of the Fleet that lately sailed from
Boston, .......
29, Letter from General Sullivan to the New-Hamp-
shire Committee of Safety, . . .
31, Letters from London, dated July 31, 1775, which
were received and laid before the Continental
Congress. The plan of the Administration is
to take possession of New- York and Albany ;
to place strong garrisons in those cities; de-
clare all Rebels who do not join the King; to
command the North and East Rivers, and cut
off all communication between the Eastern and
Southern Colonies, -
31, Letter from Lord Shelburne to Arthur Lee, in
London, ......
31, Letter from a Gentleman in Edenton, North-
Carolina, and one of the Delegates of Congress,
1747
1747
1748
1748
1749
1749
1749
1749
1749
1750
1751
1751
1752
1753
1753
1754
- 1754
1754
1755
1755
175(3
to a principal house in Edinburgh, Scotland.
We are in a terrible situation ; every Ameri-
can, to a man, is determined to die or be free.
We do not want to be independent: we want
no other revolution than a change of Ministry
and measures, ...... 1757
July 31, Meeting of the Officers of the Militia, in Bucks
County, Pennsylvania. The County divided
into three Battalions, and Field- Officers ap-
pointed, 1757
31, Proclamation by Governour Tryon. Meeting of
the General Assembly further prorogued from
the 9th of August to the 6th day of September
next, 1758
31, Letter from Francis Stephens, in New- York, to
General Gage. Account of the depredations
committed on His Majesty's stores at Turtle
Bay, in New- York, on the 12th and 13th
instants, ....... 1758
31, Letter from General Schuyler to the Continental
Congress. Has one vessel, sixty feet long, on
the stocks, expected to be finished in a week;
another of the same size is to be put up to-day,
so that there will soon be vessels enough to
move on, ...... 17GO
31, Letter from General Schuyler to the New- York
Congress. A controversy has arisen between
Allen and Warner, and the former has been
left out by the Green Mountain Boys, - - 1760
28, Letter from Nathan Clark to General Schuyler,
enclosing him the Proceedings of the Commit-
tees on the New-Hampshire Grants, - - 1761
Meeting of the Committees of the several Towns
on the New-Hampshire Grants, west of the
Grf en Mountains, at Dorset, on the 27th of
July. Field and Company Officers for a
Battalion of Green Mountain Boys chosen, - 1761
31, Letter from General Schuyler to Nathan Clark.
The choice of Company Officers being left
entirely to the People, those selected at Dorset,
on the 27th, are approved of; the choice of
Field Officers will be referred to the Conti-
nental Congress, - - - - - 1761
31, Letter from General Schuyler to Governour
Trumbull. No time ought to be lost in at-
tempting to gain possession of the Province of
Quebeck: we have hitherto had every pros-
pect of success, but our situation has not per-
mitted us to move, .....
31, Letter from General Schuyler to General Wash-
ington, ........
31, Letter from Governour Trumbull to General
Washington, - -
31, Proceedings of a Town Meeting held at Provi-
dence, in Rhode-Island, ....
31, Letter from General Washington to the Speaker
of the House of Representatives of Massa-
chusetts-Bay, .....
31, Letter from the Camp at Cambridge to a Gentle-
man in Philadelphia. Skirmishes with the
British, .......
31, Account of the burning of the Light-House, on
Light-House Island, by Major Tupper,
31, Speech of the Chiefs of the Oneidas, respecting
the late murder committed in the Plantation of
the Butternuts, to the Committee of Cherry
Valley; to be communicated to the Inhabitants
of the Butternuts, .....
PENNSYLVANIA COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.
July 3, Pennsylvania Committee of Safety,
Resolutions of the Assemblyappoiuting the Com-
mittee of Safety
Benjamin Franklin chosen President, and Wil
1762
1762
1763
1763
- 1764
1764
1765
1766
1769
- 1769
4,
liam Govett appointed Clerk, - - - 1771
Committee to provide patterns of Muskets, Bayo-
nets, Cartridge Boxes and Knapsacks, to be sent
to the Countiis, - - - - - 1771
Committee to procure any quantity of Powder
and Saltpetre in their power, with the utmost
expedition, - - - - - - 1771
Committee to go to Red Bank, and view the
River and Islands, 1771
Committee for providing Powder and Saltpetre
are required to procure two thousand good
Fire-Arms, ----.. 1771
Doctor Franklin requested to procure a model of
a Pike, 1771
CXLIII
1775.
July 6, Committee who went to Red Bank report that
it is impracticable to lay a Boom across that
part of the River, - - - - - 1771
Committee lor the construction of Boats and Ma-
chines for the defence of the River, - - 1771
Committee for inspecting Ordnance and Military
Stores, and to supply such deficiencies as may
be necessary, and provide a model of a Pike
or Spear, 1772
8, Model of a Pike Staff produced, and one ordered
to be made, ...... 1772
John Wharton directed to build a Boat or Calevat,
of forty-seven or fifty feet keel, . - - 1772
Owen Biddle to have a Bike made agreeable to
the pattern produced by Dr. Franklin, - - 1772
10, Emanuel Eyres directed to build a Boat agreeable
to the model produced by him this day, - 1772
11, Committee for building Boats and constructing
Machines for defence of the River authorized
to purchase a number of Pine Logs, - - 1772
1 3, Thanks of the Committee to Ebenezer Robinson,
for his Plan of stopping the Channel of the
River Delaware, ..... 1773
14, Committee of Safety to examine the ground on
which it is proposed to raise a Battery, - 1773
15, Twelve Boats, and such Machines as may be
thought necessary, to be built by the Commit-
tee for the defence of the River, ... 1773
Committee to ascertain if New-Jersey will assist
in the defence of the River, ... 1773
17, Henry Daugherty and John Rice appointed to
command two of the Boats building for the
defence of the River, .... 1773
Committee report that New-Jersey will give
every assistance in their power for the defence
of the River, 1773
24, Robert Smith presented the model of a Machine
for obstructing the navigation of the Delaware, 1775
28, Captain John McPherson offers his services for
the defence of this Country, - - - 1 776
Resolutions of the Continental Congress of the
18th of July, ordered to be entered on the
Minutes of the Committee, ... 1776
Committees of the several Counties in the Pro-
vince requested to make a Return of all the
Officers of the Military Association, - - 1776
31, William Bigland submitted to the Committee a
draught of a Rowing Wheel, which he pro-
posed to have fixed to the Provincial Row-
Boats, - 1778
Form of Commission for the Officers of the Mili-
tary Association, ..... 1773
MMITTEE OF SAFETY.
1777
1778
1778
1779
CONTENTS.
CXLIV
14,
15,
1785
1785
- 1785
k
- 1786
- 1786
- 1786
1787
1789
1789
1789
1790
1790
17,
NEW-YORK COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.
July 11, Committee of Safety meets at the City Hall,
Letter from General Wooster for advice about
a Prisoner, ----..
He is required to send Peter Herring, the pri-
soner, to the Committee of Safety,
Letter to William Duer, one of the Judges of
Charlotte County, -
Letter from Abraham Lott, informing them of a
demand upon him by Captain Collins, for Pro-
visions for the Nautilus, ....
Mr. Lott authorized to comply with the order -
Letter from William Hooper and Joseph Hewes,
North Carolina Delegates, at Philadelphia'
dated June 8,
Answer of the Committee, ....
Letter to the New- York Delegates in the Con-
tinental Congress, in reply to one from them
dated July 6, I
Letter from Governour Trumbull, dated Hart-
ford, July 7, - . . .
Account of the Men who went from Manchester
to Ticonderoga, dated June 10, -
Letter from Burnet Miller, Chairman of the Com-
mittee of Southampton, dated July 5, -
Peter Herring, convicted of assisting one Lundin
to get onboard the Asia, man-of-war, ordered
to be con lined in Connecticut until discharged
by the Continental Congress, - . .
12, Mr. Brasher direct, d to wait on the Mayor, and
request him to deliver the City Arms to the
Committee of Safety, ....
Letter to Colonel Hinman, at Ticonderoga
Letter to the New- York Delegates in the'Con-
tinental Congress, ....
1779
1780
1780
1780
1780
1781
1781
1781
- 1782
1782
1783
1775.
July 13, Letter to General Schuyler, - - - -
Complaint from Captain Vandcput, that one of
the Boats belonging to the Asia has been taken,
and the crew made prisoners ; and that His
Majesty's Store, near the Hudson, was broken
open last night, and divers effects carried off, -
Letter to General Wooster, requesting information
on the matter complained of by Captain Van-
deput, .....
Doctor Samuel Bard permitted to attend the sick
Mariners of His Majesty's Ships,
The Recorder, and Aldermen Brewerton and
Matthews, inform the Committee that the Boat
of the Asia has been burnt,
Order to the Magistrates to inquire into the late
outrages on His Majesty's property, and punish
all persons concerned in them, as the law di
rects, .....
Letter to John Sloss Hobart, informing him that
certain persons in or near Huntington, on
Long- Island, are engaged in shipping Provi-
sions to General Gage, ....
Committee to purchase old Copper, Brass and
other materials for casting a Brass Fieldpiece, 1787
Letter to the New- York Delegates in the Conti-
nental Congress, .....
Letter to General Schuyler, ....
Letter to General Wooster, informing him pro-
vision has been made for removing his Camp
to Harlem, ......
James Smith appointed to command on Lake
Champlain, ......
Letter to General Schuyler, ....
Herman Zedtwitz appointed Major of the First
Regiment of Troops now raising in this Colony, 1 790
Articles of Agreement with Thomas Blockley,
who engages to send out from Britain ten good
Gunsmiths and Locksmiths, to the Colony of
New- York, to dwell and reside, there to carry
on their respective trades and occupations,
Letter to the Committee of Fairfield, in Connecti-
cut, requesting them to grant some indulgence
' to Angus McDonald, - - -
Letter to the Colonels of the Regiments now
raising in this Colony, ....
Mayor of the City, and the Magistrates, having
engaged a Carpenter to build a Boat for the
Asia, to replace that lately burnt, their con-
duct is approved, ....
Letter from Wolvert Ecker, Chairman of the
Committees of Newburgh and New- Windsor
Precincts, with three persons charged with
being enemies to their Country, -
Order to Colonel McDougall to receive John
Morrell, Adam Patrick and Isaiah Purdy.and
keep them in custody, ....
Letter to the Committee of Albany: Powder for-
warded for General Schuyler, ...
Letter to the New- York Delegates in the Con-
tinental Congress, -----
Letter to Jacob Bayley, at Newbury, in Glouces-
ter County, - - . .
Letter to John Nicholson, New- Windsor, direct-
ing him to receive orders from Colonel James
Clinton, .--....
Letter to General Schuyler, enclosing a Resolu-
tion of the Continental Congress of July 17, -
Colonel McDougall ordered to take possession
of the Town Barracks for the Troops under
his command, ......
Letter to the Committee of New-Brunswick,
New- Jersey. Boats are frequently loaded there
with Flour for the British, -
Letter to the New- York Delegates in the Con-
tinental Congress : propose application for the
New-Jersey Muskets, ....
Letter to Rev. John Peter Tetard, with his ap-
pointment as Interpreter to General Schuyler,
and Chaplain to the New- York Troops,
Letter to the President of the Continental Con
gress, ----...
Adjourned to meet in Congress, to-morrow morn-
ing, at nine o'clock,
18,
19,
21,
1791
- 1791
1792
- 1792
- 1792
1793
1793
1793
- 1794
22,
24,
25,
1795
1796
1797
1797
1798
- 1798
1799
1799
- 1784
NEW-YORK PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
26, Provincial Congress meets, .... 1800
Committee of Safety delivered in a Report of
their Proceedings, - - - . - 1801
CXLV
1775.
CONTENTS.
cxLvr
Letter to the New- York Delegates in the Conti-
nental Congress, recommending Ebenezer
Hazard for Postmaster of the City of New-
York, 1802
July 27, William Duer, appointed Deputy Adjutant-Gen-
eral, 1803
Letter to the President of the Continental Con-
gress, informing him of their appointment of
Deputy Adjutant-General, - 1803
Letter to the New- York Delegates in the Conti-
nental Congress, .... - 1804
Military Committee appointed, for fourteen days,
with full power, during that time, to order and
dispose of all things whatsoever, relating to or
concerning the Troops raised, or to be raised,
in this Colony, 1804
28, Letter to the New- York Delegates in the Conti-
nental Congress, on the subject of Tea, - 1805
Letter to the New- York Delegates in the Conti-
nental Congress, on the subject of Flaxseed, - 1806
Letter to Governour Trumbull, on furnishing
Tents for Colonel Hinman's Regiment, - 1806
Letter to Wolvert Ecker and Samuel Brewster,
Chairmen of the Committees of New- Windsor
and Newburgh, informing them that Morrell,
Patrick and Purdy are released from confine-
ment, ....... 1806
Peter T. Curtenius directed to forward one thou-
sand Tents to Colonel Hinman, for the Con-
necticut Troops at Ticonderoga, ... 1807
31, Letter to the Committee of Correspondence for
Easthampton and Southold, ... 1809
Aug. 1, The Congress informed by the Recorder that the
Boat which had been building for the Asia,
by order of the Committee of Safety, was sawed
to pieces, and entirely destroyed, - - - 1810
2, Letter from the New-Brunswick, New- Jersey,
Committee, - - - - - - 1811
Motion by Mr. Low, that the persons who de-
stroyed the Barge belonging to His Majesty's
Ship Asia are base violators of the Association
subscribed by the Congress, ... 1812
Mr. Low's motion to be considered on Friday
next, 1812
Queries presented to the Congress by the Com-
pany Officers of the First Regiment, - - 1812
Answers to the Queries, - - - - 1812
3, Chairman of the New- York Committee requested
to summon the Committee immediately, to con-
sider the papers relating to George Coffin's
Vessel and Cargo, - - - - - 1813
Letter from Peter T. Curtenius, - - - 1814
Letter to the Committee of Elizabethtown, New-
Jersey, 1814
Letter to General Washington, for blank Com-
missions for the Officers, - - - - 1814
Patrick Sinclair, having accepted the office of
Lieutenant-Governour of Michilimackinack, is
ordered by the Congress not to proceed thither,
and is sent on his Parole to Suffolk County, - 1815
4, Permission given to Mr. Harper, of Harpersneld,
near Cherry Valley, to purchase one hun-
dred weight of Gunpowder, at the Mill of Ro-
bert R. Livingston, on his paying Money for
the same, - - - - - - - 1815
Patrick Sinclair, refusing to sign the Parole, is
placed under Guard, - - - - -1815
Motion by Mr. Sears, that Capt. Patrick Sinclair
be sent to Hartford, in Connecticut, rejected, - 1816
Letter from Philip Livingston and George Clin-
ton, at Philadelphia, informing them that Mo-
ney will be forwarded immediately, - - 1816
Members who are absent by order of this, or the
Continental Congress, to be counted as present,
whenever a vote is taken, the Members pre-
sent voting for the County, - - - -1816
Mr. John De Lancey reprimanded by the Presi-
dent for language used to Mr. Scott, a Member,
while the Congress was sitting, - 1817
Mr. De Lancey and Mr. Scott directed to let the
dispute drop, and proceed no further in it, - 1817
5, Committee appointed to consider of the Ways and
Means best adapted to discharge the D;bts al-
ready contracted, or which may hereafter be
contracted for the exigencies of the Colony,
in its present critical and alarming situation, - 1817
John Foster permitted to ship a cargo of Live
Stock to the West- Indies, that he maybe there-
by enabkd to procure Military Stores, - - 1818
Fourth Series. — Vol. ii.
1775.
Pay and Clothing allowed to the Troops en-
listed by this Colony, 1818
Letter from the President of the Continental Con-
gress, dated August 1, 1775, ... 1818
Proceedings on the Resolutions moved by Mr.
Low, on the 2d instant, with respect to the in-
suit offered to this Congress, by destroying the
Boat belonging to the Asia, - - - 1818
Mr. Melancton Smith's motion to reject the Reso-
lutions, rejected, - - - - -1818
Resolutions adopted, and with their preambulary
recitals or introductions, as amended and agreed
to, ordered to be entered on the Journals as
part of the proceedings of Congress ; and be
published in the Newspapers, ... 1819
Committee of the City of New- York requested
to take the proper measures for discovering the
persons who sawed and destroyed the Boat
lately ordered to be built for the use of His
Majesty's Ship Asia, 1820
Secretary directed to procure a certified copy of
the rates of the pay of the Troops in the Con-
tinental Army, from a Colonel downwards, - 1820
CONTINENTAL CONGRESS.
May\0, The Congress convened in the State- House, at
Philadelphia, - 1819
List of the Delegates from the several Colonies, 1819
Peyton Randolph chosen President, and Charles
Thomson Secretary, - - - - -1819
Rev. Mr. Duche requested to open Congress
with prayers to-morrow morning, - - 1820
11, Congress opened with prayers by the Rev. Mr.
Duche, 1820
Credentials of the Delegates read and approved, 1820
Doors to be kept shut during the time of business,
and Members under the strongest obligations
of honour to keep the proceedings secret, - 1824
Letter from the Agents, William Bollan, Benj.
Franklin and Arthur Lee, dated London, Feb-
ruary 5, 1775, laid before Congress and read, 1824
Papers accompanying the Letter of the Agents,
submitted to Congress this day, (Note,) - 1825
Letters and Papers from the Massachusetts Con-
gress, submitted by Mr. Hancock, - - 1826
Letter from the Provincial Congress of Massa-
chusetts to the American Continental Congress,
dated May 3, 1826
Resolves of the Massachusetts Congress, passed
May 3, for borrowing One Hundred Thousand
Pounds, enclosed in the preceding Letter, - 1828
Depositions and Address ordered to be published, 1829
State of America to be considered on Monday
next in Committee of the Whole, - - 1829
Letter from Massachusetts referred to that Com-
mittee, 1829
12, Met and adjourned, 1829
13, Lyman Hall admitted as a Delegate from the
Parish of St. John's, Georgia, - - - 1829
Mr. Hall's Credentials — Address of the Inhabi-
tants of St. John's Parish to Congress ; their
Letter of February 2, to the Committee of
Correspondence in Charlestown, South-Caro-
lina;— answer of the Committee, dated Feb-
ruary 9 ; and choice of the Delegate, March
21, 1775,
Petition from Frederick County, Virginia,
15, Order of the Day read, and, after some debate,
postponed, - - -
Application from New- York for advice, how to
conduct themselves with regard to the Troops
expected there, - - - - - -1831
Delegate from St. John's, in Georgia, to have the
same privileges as the other Delegates, except
voting when a question is taken by Colonies,
Credentials of Delegates from Rhode- Island, -
Advice to the Inhabitants of New- York to act
on the defensive, if the Troops, expected from
England, arrive,
Committee appointed to consider what Posts
should be occupied in New-York,
State of America to be further considered to-
morrow, -------
16, Memorial from Robert and John Murray,
Congress in Committee of the Whole, on the
state of America, .....
1 7, Exportations to Quebeck, Nova-Scotia, St. John's,
Newfoundland, Georgia, (except the Parish of
1829
1831
- 1831
1831
1832
1832
1832
1832
1832
1832
CXL.TII
it::
CONTENTS.
CXLVI1I
St. John's,) and to East and West Florida, pro-
hibited, -.-----
May 18, Rules of last Congress adopted, -
Intelligence received of the surprising and taking
of Ticonderoga, - - - -
Mr. Brown called in to give an account of the
disposition of the Canadians, the taking of Ti-
conderoga, and the importance of that Post, -
Congress approve the taking of Ticonderoga,
and direct the removal of the Cannon and
Stores to the south end of Lake George, to be
there taken care of, and returned when the
restoration of harmony between Great Britain
and the Colonies shall render it prudent to do so,
19, List of the Delegates to the Congress in Phila-
delphia this day, (Note,) -
Report from the Committee on establishing Posts
in New- York, read and referred to the Com-
mittee of the Whole on the state of America,
State of America further considered in Commit-
tee of the Whole, -
20, State of America further considered in Commit-
tee of the Whole, -
22, State of America further considered in Commit-
tee of the Whole, -
23, State of America further considered in Commit-
tee of the Whole, .....
24, John Hancock chosen President, Mr. Randolph
being necessarily absent, -
-State of America further considered in Commit-
tee of the Whole, -
25, State of America further considered in Commit-
tee of the Whole, .....
Committee of the Whole report in part, recom-
mending the establishment of Posts at King's-
Bridge, and in the High lands on Hudson River;
the embodying of the Militia, and the enlist-
ment and regulation of Troops by the Provin-
cial Congress, ----..
Motion for an addition to the Resolutions respect-
ing New- York, after some debate, postponed
till to-morrow, ......
26, Resolution of the Assembly of New-Jersey of
May 20, with a copy of the Resolution of the
House of Commons of February 27, laid before
Congress by a Delegate from New-Jersey,
and referred, to the Committee of the Whole
on the state of America, ....
Consideration resumed of the motion made yester-
day, for an addition to the Resolutions respect-
ing New- York, .....
Provincial Congress of New- York advised to
persevere vigorously for their defence, as it is
uncertain whether the endeavours of Congress
to accommodate the differences with Great Bri-
tain by conciliatory measures will be successful,
Committee appointed to prepare a Letter to the
People of Canada, .....
State of America further considered in Commit-
tee of the Whole, .....
Committee of the Whole report further, several
Resolutions, which were read and adopted, -
The Colonies to be immediately put in a state of
defence, to secure them against all attempts to
enforce the Acts for taxing the Colonies by
force of arms, ---...
Petition to be presented to the King,
Measures for opening a negotiation, to accommo-
date the differences between Great Britain and
the Colonies, to be made part of the Petition
to the King, ---...
State of America further considered in Commit-
tee of the Whole, .....
29, Letter from the Convention of New- Jersey, read
and referred to the Committee of the Whole
A Gentleman introduced to the Congress, to give
a just and full account of the state of affairs in
Canada, --...._
Report of the Committee to prepare a Letter to
Canada, after some debate, recommitted,
Committee appointed to consider on ways and
means to supply the Colonies with Ammuni-
tion and Military Stores, ....
Memorial of Robert Murray and John Murray
considered *
Committees in the Colonies authorized to restore
to publick favour persons convicted of violating
the Continental Association, on their being satis-
fied they will not offend in future,
1833
1833
1833
1833
1833
1834
1834
1834
1834
1834
1834
1835
1835
1835
1835
1836
1836
1836
1836
1836
1836
1836
1837
1837
1837
1837
1837
1837
1837
1837
1838
1838
1775.
May 29, Letter to the Inhabitants of Canada, again re-
ported; and agreed to, - - - - 1838
Provisions not to be sent to the Island of Nan-
tucket, except from Massachusetts, - - 1 839
Committee to consider the best means to establish
a Post for conveying Letters and intelligence
through the Continent, .... 1839
30, Paper drawn up by Grey Cooper, brought by a
Gentleman just from London, who received it
from Lord North, presented by Mr. Willing,
and read, 1840
State of America further considered in Commit-
tee of the Whole, 1840
31, State of America further considered in Commit-
tee of the Whole, 1840
Letter from Colonel Arnold, dated Crown Point,
May 23, calling for a re-enforcement and sup-
plies, 1840
Governour Trumbull requested to send a re-en-
forcement; and the Provincial Congress of
New- York requested to furnish Provisions
and other necessary Stores, - - - - 1841
Governour Trumbull requested to appoint a per-
son to take command at Crown Point and
Ticonderoga, - - - - - -1841
June 1, Report of the Committee on supplying Ammuni-
tion and Military Stores, read and referred to
the Committee of the Whole, - - - 1841
Congress, having nothing in view but the defence
of the Colonies, direct that no expedition be
undertaken against Canada, - - - 1841
Petition from the Inhabitants of Augusta County,
Virginia, west of the Alleghany Mountains,
read and referred to the Delegates for Virginia
and Pennsylvania, - - - - - 1841
State of America further considered in Commit-
tee of the Whole, 1841
2, Letter from the Provincial Congress of Massa-
chusetts, dated Watertown, May 16, read, laid
on the table, and Dr. Church, who brought the
Letter, introduced and heard, - - - 1 842
Resolutions prohibiting supplies of Money or
1 Provisions to Officers of the British Armv or
Navy, - 1843
3, Letter from New- York, with sundry Letters and
Papers enclosed, from Albany, received and
read, 1843
Committee to consider the Letter from Massachu-
setts, dated May 16, 1843
Committee to borrow Six Thousand Pounds for
the use of America, and to apply it to the pur-
chase of Gunpowder for the Continental Army, 1843
Committees to report a Petition to the King ; an
Address to the Inhabitants of Great Britain ;
an Address to the People of Ireland ; a Letter
to the Inhabitants of Jamaica ; and an estimate
of the Money necessary to be raised, - - 1843
5, Several Colonies not being represented, adjourned
till to-morrow, ...... 1843
6, The several Committees not being ready to report,
adjourned till to-morrow, .... 1844
7, Report of the Committee of an estimate of the
Money necessary, read and referred to the
Committee of the Whole, .... 1844
Committee to prepare a Resolve appointing the
■ 20th day of July next, for a day of Fasting
and Prayer, ...... 1844
Report of the Committee on the Letter from
Massachusetts, read and laid on the table, - 1844
State of America further considered in Commit-
tee of the Whole, 1844
8, Committee to examine the papers of Major Skene,
who arrived last evening from London, - - 1844
State of America further considered in Commit-
tee of the Whole, 1844
9, Report on the Letter from Massachusetts, con-
sidered and agreed to, - 1 844
People of Massachusetts advised to elect Repre-
sentatives, and exercise the powers of Govern-
ment, ....... 1845
10, Letters from Massachusetts-Bay, Ticonderoga,
Crown Point, &c, received and read, • - 1845
New-Hampshire, Rhode-Island, Connecticut and
interior Towns of Massachusetts, requested to
furnish the American Army before Boston
with all the Powder they can spare, - - 1845
All the Colonies requested to collect Saltpetre
and Sulphur, to be made into Gunpowder, for
the use of the Continent, .... 1845
CXLIX
1775.
CONTENTS.
| 1775.
13,
14,
15,
16,
17,
Committee to devise the ways and means to in-
troduce the manufacture of Saltpetre in these
Colonies, -------
Governour Skene released on parole,
June 12, Report of the Committee on a day of Fasting
and Prayer read and agreed to, -
Ways and means of raising Money, considered
in Committee of the Whole,
Ways and means of raising Money, and the state
of America, further considered in Committee of
the Whole,
State of America further considered in Commit-
tee of the Whole, and further report, in part,
made, -------
Ten Companies of Riflemen to be raised for the
Army near Boston, - - - - -
Committee to prepare Rules and Regulations for
the government of the Army, -
Ways and means of raising Money, and the state
of America, further considered in Committee of
the Whole, and further report, in part, made, -
George Washington unanimously elected Gene-
ral of all the Continental Forces, raised, or to
be raised, for the defence of American Liberty,
The President, from the Chair, informed George
Washington of his appointment, and requested
his acceptance of it, -
Colonel Washington's Answer, -
Committee to prepare a Commission and Instruc-
tions for the General,
Committee to consider the Papers from New-
York, relative to Indian Affairs, - - -
State of America further considered in Commit-
tee of the Whole, and further report, in part,
made, -------
General and Staff-Officers to be appointed, and
their pay fixed, ------
Commission for the General reported by the
Committee, and agreed to, -
Declaration of the Congress to maintain, assist,
and adhere to the General with their lives and
fortunes, in maintaining the liberties of America,
Artemas Ward and Charles Lee chosen Major-
Generals, and Horatio Gates Adjutant-Gene-
ral, --------
Letters from the Conventions of Massachusetts
and New- York, received and read,
Committee to inform General Lee of his appoint-
ment, and request his answer whether he will
accept the command, - - - - -
General Lee, before he accepts, desires an inter-
view with a Committee respecting his private
fortune, -------
Committee appointed, and, after an interview, re-
port an estimate of the estate he risked by this
service, -------
Congress resolve to indemnify General Lee for
any loss of property he may sustain by enter-
ing into their service, - - - - -
Connecticut, Rhode- Island and New-Hampshire
requested to re-enforce the Army before Bos'
ton, ......
Philip Schuyler and Israel Putnam chosen Ma-
jor-Generals, ------
Petition to the King reported by the Committee,
Instructions to the General, - - - -
Thomas Jefferson appeared as Delegate from
Virginia, in place of Peyton Randolph,
Committee to consider sundry queries from the
General, -------
Eight Brigadier-Generals chosen, -
Two Millions of Spanish Milled Dollars to be
emitted by Congress in Bills of Credit, for the
defence of America, and the Twelve Confede-
rated Colonies pledged for their redemption, -
Pennsylvania to raise two more Companies of
Riflemen, making eight Companies, to be
formed into a Battalion, - - - -
Letter from the Officer at Crown Point, dated
June 10, received and read, - ...
Colonel Allen and Captain Seth Warner called
in to communicate important intelligence,
Provision for the payment of the Officers and
Men employed in taking Ticonderoga, -
New- York Convention requested to raise a body
of Green Mountain Boys, - - -
Committee to draw op et Declaration, to be pub-
lished by General Washington, upon his arri
val at the Camp before Boston,
1846
1846
- 1846
d
- 1847
- 1847
19,
20,
21,
22,
23,
1847
1847
1847
1848
1848
1848
1848
- 1849
1849
- 1849
1849
1850
1850
1850
- 1850
1850
1851
1851
1851
- 1851
1851
1851
1851
- 1852
1852
1853
1853
1853
1853
1853
- 1853
Y
- 1853
- 1853
CL
1854
1854
1854
1854
State of America further considered in Commit-
tee of the Whole, and further report, in part,
made, -------
Number and denomination of Bills of Credit to
be emitted, ----..
June24, Committee on putting the Militia in a proper state
for the defence of America, ...
Declaration to be published by General Wash-
ington, reported, read, debated, and referred for
further consideration, - - - - -
26, Resolutions adopted, recommending to the People
of North-Carolina to associate for the defence
of American Liberty, and to embody as Militia,
under proper Officers; and the Assembly or
Convention of that Colony authorized to raise
one thousand Men, to form part of the Ameri-
can Army, and be paid by this Congress, - 1854
Declaration further considered, debated, and re-
committed, ...... 1855
Committee for Indian Affairs reported, - - 1855
Committee for the City of Philadelphia requested
to furnish a supply of Powder for Ticonderoga
and Crown Point, ..... 1855
27, Governour Skene sent under guard to Connecti-
cut, to be confined there on parole, - - 1855
Letter from Massachusetts Convention, dated June
20, with several other Letters, received and read, 1855
Instructions to General Schuyler, who is autho-
rized to take possession of St. John's, Montreal,
or any other part of Canada, if practicable, and
not disagreeable to the Canadians, - - 1855
Address to the Inhabitants of Great Britain, re-
ported, 1856
28, Consideration of the Articles of War resumed,
and debated, 1856
29, Letters and Speeches from the Chiefs of the Stock-
bridge Indians, to the Congress, and a Mes-
sage from them to the Canada Indians, re-
ceived, and read, ..... 1856
Consideration of the Articles of War resumed,
debated, and deferred till to-morrow, - - 1856
30, Articles of War further considered and agreed to, 1856
Committee to examine the Rules and Articles of
War, and get them printed, - ... 1863
Committee for Indian Affairs directed to prepare
proper Talks for the Indians, ... 1863
July 1, If any Agent of the Ministry shall induce any of
the Indian Tribes to commit hostilities against
the Colonies, then the Colonies ought to avail
themselves of an alliance with such of the In-
dians as will unite with them to oppose British
Troops, 1863
General Schuyler directed not to remove Gene-
ral Wooster from New- York, but to raise as
many Green Mountain Boys as will be neces-
sary to execute his Instructions of the 27th of
June, 1863
3, State of America further considered in Commit-
tee of the Whole, and further report, in part,
made, - 1863
4, Two Acts of the present Parliament for restrain-
ing the Trade and Commerce of the Colonies,
are unconstitutional, oppressive, and cruel, and
the Continental Association should apply to
them, 1864
Petition to the King further considered, debated,
and postponed till to-morrow, ... 1864
5, Letters from General Schuyler of the 2d and 3d
of July, received and read, ... 1864
Order of the 27th of June, respecting the sending
of Governour Skene to Connecticut, to be car-
ried into immediate execution, ... 1864
Petition to the King further considered, debated,
and agreed to, ------ 1865
6, Address to the Inhabitants of Great Britain further
considered and recommitted, ... 1865
Declaration by the Representatives of the United
Colonies, of North-America, now met in Con-
gress, at Philadelphia, setting forth the causes
and necessity of their taking up arms, - - 1865
Fragment of a Speech made in the General Con-
gress of America, by one of the Delegates,
(Note,) 1865
Committee directed to prepare a Letter to the
Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Livery of Lon-
don, - 1869
7, Address to the People of Great Britain, again
reported, and, after debate, the further consi-
deration deferred till to-morrow, - - - If
CLt
1775.
Jul;/ 8, Petition to the King, signed by the several Mem-
bers, -------
Letter to the Lord Mayor, &c, of London, re-
ported and road, -
Committee to prepare a Letter to Richard Penn,
and the Colony Agents, in England, - -
Address to the Inhabitants of Great Britain,
further considered, debated, and agreed to,
Letter to the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Livery
of London, ------
LeU6t to Mr. Penn and the Colony Agents, -
10, A Gentleman well acquainted with the situation
and disposition of the Indians, introduced and
heard by the Congress, -
Talks to the Indians reported and read, »
Report of the Committee on putting the Militia
in a proper state of defence, was made, read,
debated, and deferred till to-morrow,
1 1, Report on Indian Affairs taken up, read, debated,
and deferred till to-morrow, -
An Address of the Deputies from the different
Parishes of the Island of Bermuda, presented
and read, - - - - -
12, Gentleman in Town, from the Province of Clue-
beck, called in to give intelligence of the dis-
position of the Canadians, - - - -
Report of the Committee on Indian Affairs, con-
sidered, debated, and agreed to,
Committee to devise ways and means to protect
the Trade of these Colonies,
Speech to the Six Nations of Indians, read,
debated, and agreed to,
Commissioners for Indian Affairs in the Middle
and Northern Departments chosen,
14, Report of the Committee on the Militia further
considered and debated, - - - -
15, Report on the Militia resumed, and agreed to, -
Vessels importing Gunpowder, Saltpetre, Sul-
phur, Brass Fieldpieces, or good Muskets
fitted with Bayonets, permitted to load with the
produce of the Colonies,
Extracts from intercepted Letters from Lord
Dartmouth to Governour Martin and Govern-
our Wright, received and read, - - -
Talk to the Stockbridge Indians considered,
debated, and agreed to, ...
17, General Wooster directed to send one thousand
of the Connecticut Forces under his command
to Albany, ......
President directed to write an Answer to the Ad-
dress from Bermuda,
18, Commissioners of the Northern Department di
rected to employ Mr. Kirkland among the Six
Nations of Indians, .....
Report of the Committee on putting the Militia
in a proper state of defence, considered and
agreed to, ....
19, Letter from the General, with sundry Papers, re-
ceived, 1886
Company of Matrosses to be raised in Philadel-
phia, and sent to the Army before Boston,
Committee to report on the method of establish-
ing a Hospital, ...
New-Hampshire, Massachusetts-Bay, Rhode-
Island and Connecticut requested to complete
and forward their Regiments without delay, -
Paragraph in the General's Letter, respecting an
easier communication between him and the
Congress, referred for consideration on Satur-
day next, --....
Committee to bring in an estimate of the expenses
incurred by the Votes and Resolves of Con-
gress,
Choice of the Commissioners for Indian Affairs in
the Southern Department, left to the Council of
Safety for South-Carolina, - - . .
20, Letter from the Convention of Georgia, setting
forth that that Colony had acceded to the Gene-
ral Association, and appointed Delegates to
attend the Congress, -
General Schuyler empowered to dispose of and
employ all the Troops in the New- York
Department as he may think best,
21, Address to the Inhabitants of Jamaica, reported
and laid on the tal
CONTENTS.
CLll
1870
1872
1872
1872
1877
1878
1878
1878
- 1878
1878
- 1878
1878
- 1878
1880
1880
- 1883
1883
1883
- 1883
1884
- 1884
1884
- 1884
1886
- 1885
1886
- 1886
1886
1886
1886
1887
- 1887
1887
1887
24,
25,
1775.
Address to the Inhabitants of Ireland, reported
and laid on the table, ....
Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union,
submitted by Dr. Franklin, -
State of America further considered in Commit-
tee of the Whole, - - - - -
Committee on protecting the Trade of the Colo'
Dies, reported, -----
General Washington authorized to keep such a
body of Forces in Massachusetts as he shall
think necessary, provided they do not exceed
twenty-two thousand, -
July 22, Report of the Committee on protecting the Trade
of the Colonies, considered, and postponed to
some future day, ....
State of America further considered in Commit-
tee of the Whole, .....
Committee to consider and report upon the Reso-
lution of the House of Commons of February
20, commonly called Lord North's Motion, -
State of America further considered in Commit-
tee of the Whole, .....
Report from the Committee for establishing a
Hospital, presented, .....
Report of the Committee for establishing Posts,
brought in, ...
Answer to the Resolution of the House of Com-
mons, presented, read, and ordered to lie on the
table for consideration, ....
Delegates for Pennsylvania directed to send under
safe convoy to General Washington, six tons
of the Continental Gunpowder, just arrived in
Philadelphia, .-.-..
Address to the Assembly of Jamaica,
Five thousand Troops to be stationed in the New-
York Department, .....
One Million of Dollars, additional, in Bills of
Credit, to be emitted, ....
Committee to sign the Bills, ...
Committee to revise the Journal, and prepare it for
the press, ......
Report of the Committee on establishing a Post-
Office, ageeed to,
Benjamin Franklin chosen Postmaster General,
Report of the Committee on establishing a Hospi-
tal, considered and agreed to,
Fifty Thousand Dollars appropriated for the im-
portation of Gunpowder for the Continental
Armies, --.--..
Address to the People of Ireland, considered and
agreed to, ......
Pay of the Army established, ...
Michael Hillegas and George Clymer appoint-
ed Joint Treasurers of the United Colonies, -
Each Colony required to provide means to sink
its proportion of the Bills of Credit emitted by
this Congress, ......
Proportion or quota of each Colony,
Answer of the Congress to the Resolutions of the
House of Commons of the 20th February last,
Commitee to make inquiry in the recess of Con-
gress, in all the Colonies, for virgin Lead and
Lead Ore, and the best methods of collecting,
smelting and refining it, ...
State of the Trade of the Colonies, after the 10th
of September next, considered and postponed to
a future day, ----..
Two Petitions respecting disputes between the
People of Connecticut and Pennsylvania, pre-
sented, read, and laid on the table for the
perusal of the Members, -
Two Petitions, from sundry Merchants in New-
York and Philadelphia, respecting the sale
of Teas, imported before the Association, pre-
sented and laid on the table, ...
1, Moneys appropriated for various purposes con-
nected with the defence and protection of the
Colonies, -----
Petitions respecting the disputes between the
People of Connecticut and Pennsylvania, re-
ferred to the next meeting of the Congress, -
Explanation of the Resolve of the last Congress,
prohibiting exportation to Great Britain, Ire-
land and the West-Indies -
Adjourned to Tuesday the fifth of September next,
1887
1887
1889
- 1889
- 1889
- 18
26,
27,
28,
29,
31,
Aug.
1889
1889
1890
1890
1890
1890
1890
1890
1892
1892
1899
1892
1892
1893
1893
1893
1894
1897
1898
1898
1898"
1899
1902
1902
1902
1902
- 1902
1904
1904
1904
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY, &c.
CORRESPONDENCE, MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS, PROCEEDINGS OF COMMITTEES, &c.
LETTER FROM THE GENERAL COMMITTEE, AT CHARLES-
TOWN, S. C.j TO THE NEW-YORK COMMITTEE.
Charlestown, South-Carolina, March 1, 1775.
Gentlemen : It was with equal surprise and concern
that we read in the publick prints what passed in your
House of Assembly on the 26th of January, with respect
to the proceedings of the General Congress. It is im-
possible for us, at this distance, to conjecture the reasons
which induced the Assembly to refuse their formal assent
to the Solemn Agreement of all these Colonies. We are
obliged to suspend our judgment until we hear from you ;
and will not even permit ourselves to conclude that it is
owing either to a neglect of the united voice of America,
or to want of spirit in the cause of freedom. — In the midst
of the pain that we feel at this singular instance of Pro-
vincial policy, we console ourselves with the apprehension
that it was intended, not as a declaration of their real in-
clinations, but only as a prudential measure : that they
having been chosen antecedent to the present dispute, and
therefore not with a particular view to it, might suppose
the necessity of their interfering, superseded by a posterior
choice. We console ourselves with the thought that the
legal Representatives of your respectable Colony, by refu-
sing to act, did not mean to hold up to the world the opin-
ion of their Constituents, but have only left it to another re-
presentation, not so much according to the letter of the law,
but equally respectable, and as much to be depended on.
We only beg leave to make this remark upon their
policy : that they have therein singled themselves out from
the rest of the Colonies ; who, as far as they have had the
opportunity, have come unanimously into the measures of
the General Congress. And we cannot but think it would
have been much more happy for the whole, had there been
no exception. Indeed, although the House of Assembly
in this Colony hath nobly and unanimously adopted the
Proceedings of the General Congress, yet they have not
had it in idea to take the matter wholly into their own
hands, independent of the Provincial Congress ; but even
now, while that Assembly is sitting, the General Commit-
tee of the Colony also sits and does business, independent
of the House. A measure this, necessary in the Royal
Governments, where the liableness of the Assembly to sud-
den prorogations and dissolutions, renders their proceeding
in business wholly dependant on the creatures of the Crown.
Much, therefore, as we are surprised at the conduct of
your Assembly, we are not so ignorant as to imagine it is
the definite voice of the Colony ; and, indeed, we do not
allow ourselves to entertain a suspicion that your Resolu-
tions would not be the same with those of the rest of the
Colonies, if you only had a full and free representation of
the whole Colony elected on the present occasion : such a
representation we hope to hear of in due time.
We are not insensible of the consequence of your Colo-
ny in the great chain of American Union. — Nor do we
imagine the Ministry insensible of it ; we are well aware
of your unhappy situation, and of the many artful mea-
sures that have been, and now are, taking, if possible, to
throw you into confusion. We are well aware of the poi-
Folrth Series. — Vol. ii.
son that is daily distilling from some of your pensioned
presses, and the hireling writers that have crept in among
you. We are not ignorant of that crowd of placemen, of
contractors, of officers, and needy dependants upon the
Crown, who are constantly employed to frustrate your
measures. We know the dangerous tendency of being
made the head-quarters of America for many years. All
these things, though they necessarily tend to clog the
wheels of publick spirit, yet do not cause us to doubt of
your publick virtue, as a Colony : nay, we assure our-
selves, that your love to Constitutional Liberty, to justice,
and your posterity, however depressed for a little while,
will at last surmount all obstacles, and do honour to New-
York.
The present struggle seems to us most glorious and
critical. We seem to ourselves to stand upon the very
division line, between all the blessings of freedom, and the
most abject vassalage. The very idea of an earthly power
which shall bind the present and future millions of America
in all cases whatsoever — in the direction of which we are
to have no more voice than our oxen, and over which we
can have no constitutional control, fills us with horrour ; —
to hold not only our liberty and property at will, but our
lives also, as well as the lives of all our posterity ! — to be
absolutely dependant for the air in which we breathe, and
the water which we drink, upon a set of men at the dis-
tance of three thousand miles from us — who, even when
they abuse that power, are out of the reach of our ven-
geance, is a proposal which this Colony hears with indig-
nation, and can only submit to when there is no possible
remedy. By the late detestable Acts of the British Par-
liament respecting America, all mankind will judge whether
that body may be safely entrusted with such a power. We
have now appealed to the remaining justice of the Nation ;
we have endeavoured to arouse them to a sense of their
own dangers ; we have appealed to their mercantile inte-
rests for our defence. Our hopes of success are not yet
damped by anything but the possibility of disunion among
ourselves. We have the pleasure to inform you that in
this Colony the Association takes place, as effectually as
law itself. Sundry Vessels from England have already-
been obliged to return with their Merchandise, or have it
thrown overboard as common ballast.
We may assure you of our fixed determination to adhere
to the Resolutions at all hazards, and that Ministerial op-
position is here obliged to be silent. We wish for the day
when it shall be silenced among you likewise. And what-
ever noise is made by the friends of arbitrary rule about
the design of those proceedings in your House of Assem-
bly, we cannot and will not believe that you intend to
desert the cause.
Three things, however, oblige us to write to you.
First. The general alarm which the proceedings above-
mentioned have given, that we may obtain from you certain
intelligence of the disposition of your Colony, whether
those proceedings are to be understood as the general sense
of the good people of New- York, or only of a bare ma-
jority of the House.
1
CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, be., MARCH, 1773.
Secondly. That we may learn from you, whether the
Association of the General Congress has actually been
adopted by you, and is now put into execution. On these
two points we beg you will give us the earliest intelligence
possible, that we may be able (as we have not the least
doubt that we shall be) thereby to quiet the anxiety of the
people of this Province, and prevent the tools of Ministry
from exulting at any appearance of disunion. And lastly,
that we may suggest to you an expedient, which, with great
sucoew, has been tried in this Province, viz : that of a
Provincial Congress, in which every corner of the Colony
is fully and largely represented. As yet we have not had
the pleasure of hearing that you have adopted this or any
similar measure. And although we would not be under-
stood as presuming to dictate to our brethren, yet we would
take the liberty to inform them that this measure has given
the greatest satisfaction here, and so firmly united the Town
and Country, that we are thereby become one compact
regularly organized body. The enemies of American free-
dom are aware of the cementing tendency of such a step,
arid wherever they have influence, endeavour to prevent
it, well knowing that while the different Districts of a Colo-
ny are kept apart, they do not all receive the same infor-
mation, and are exposed to the baneful effects of jealousy
and division, especially when any considerable part sup-
poses itself neglected by not being called in to give its
voice. And we find, that the larger this representation is,
the less the danger of corruption and influence ; the more
is sly deceit deterred from venturing its efforts ; and the
more weight goes with every determination. The Con-
gress of this Colony consists of one hundred and eighty-
four Members, and is by far the fullest representation of it
that ever has been together before.
We, therefore, as brethren united in the same cause, do
only beg leave to recommend the above measure, already
found by experience, of such utility in sundry of the Royal
Governments, but especially in this. The necessity of
electing Delegates to the Congress in May, we are assured,
will show the expediency of such a Provincial meeting.
We feel ourselves bound to you by the closest ties of
interest and affection. — We consider this season as big with
American glory, or with American infamy.
We therefore most ardently wish you the direction and
aid of that Almighty Being who presides over all. We
confidently expect to meet you in General Congress at
Philadelphia, with hearts full of zeal in our Country's
cause, and full of mutual confidence in the integrity of
each other. We are, gentlemen, your friends and fellow-
countrymen.
By order of the General Committee,
Charles Pinckney, Chairman.
part of this Colony, to use their best endeavours to estab-
lish a trade between the Colonies ; and to procure a quan-
tity of (iiin-poirilvr, and a number of Cotton and Wool
Cards from the Northward, or elsewhere.
We desire further, that you will not depart from the
Association formed by the Continental Congress in Septem-
ber last, but will strictly adhere to it in every particular.
INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE FREEHOLDERS OF CUMBERLAND
COUNTY, VIRGINIA.
To John Mayo and William Fleming, Gentlemen, their
Delegates, March, 1775.
We, the Freeholders of Cumberland County, having
elected you to represent us in a Provincial Convention, to
be held in the Town of Richmond, on Monday, the 20th
of this instant, and being convinced that the safety and
happiness of British America depend on the unanimity,
firmness, and joint efforts of all the Colonies, we expect
you will, on your parts, let your measures be as much for
the common safety as the peculiar interests of this Colony
will permit, and that you, in particular, comply with the
recommendation of the Continental Congress, in appoint-
ing Delegates to meet in the City of Philadelphia, in May
next.
The means of Constitutional legislation in this Colony
being now interrupted, and entirely precarious, and being
convinced that some rule is necessary for speedily puttin°
the Colony in a state of defence, we, in an especial man-
ner, recommend this matter to your consideration in Con-
vention ; and you may depend that any general tax, by
that body imposed, for such purposes, will be cheerfully
submitted to, and paid by the inhabitants of this County.
We desire that you will consider the Bostonians as
suffering in the common cause, and cheerfully join in their
support to the utmost of your power.
That you will direct the Deputies to Congress, on the
Committee Chamber, Now.York, 1st March, l?7.r>.
To the Freeholders and Freemen of the City and County
of New-York.
As the last Congress, held in Philadelphia, recommended
that another Congress should be convened at the same place,
on the 10th day of May next, and the election of Dele-
gates ought not to be longer delayed, and most of the other
Colonies having already appointed them, and as the Com-
mittee has no power, without the approbation of their con-
stituents, to take any measures for that purpose : they
therefore request, that the Freeholders and Freemen of
the City and County of New-York, will be pleased to as-
semble at the Exchange, on Monday, the 6th instant, at
twelve o'clock, to signify their sense of the best method of
choosing such Delegates, and whether they will appoint a
certain number of persons, to meet such Deputies as the
Counties may elect for that purpose, and join with them in
appointing out of their body, Delegates for the next Con-
gress. By order of the Committee,
Isaac Low, Chairman.
ADDRESS TO THE SOLDIERS ORDERED TO AMERICA.
London, March, 1775.
The following Address has been sent to Ireland for pub-
lication, and should be published in all the American
Papers : —
Gentlemen : You are about to embark for America to
compel your fellow-subjects there to submit to Popery and
Slavery.
It is the glory of the British Soldier, that he is the de-
fender, not the destroyer of the civil and religious rights of
the people. The English Soldiery are immortalized in
history for their attachment to the religion and liberties of
their Country.
When King James the Second endeavoured to introduce the
Roman Catholick Religion and arbitrary power into Great
Britain, he had an Army encamped on Hounslow-Heath, to
terrify the people. Seven Bishops were seized upon and sent
to the Tower. But they appealed to the laws of their Coun-
try, and were set at liberty. When this news reached the
camp, the shouts of joy were so great, that they re-echoed
in the Royal Palace. This, however, did not quite con-
vince the King of the aversion of the Soldiers to be the in-
struments of oppression against their fellow-subjects. He
therefore made another trial. He ordered the Guards to be
drawn up, and the word was given that those who did not
choose to support the King's measures should ground their
arms. When behold, to his utter confusion, and their
eternal honour — the whole body grounded their arms.
You, gentlemen, will soon have an opportunity of show-
ing equal virtue. You will be called upon to imbrue your
hands in the blood of your fellow-subjects in America, be-
cause they will not submit to be slaves, and are alarmed
at the establishment of Popery and arbitrary power in one-
half of their Country.
Whether you will draw those swords which have de-
fended them against their enemies, to butcher them into
a resignation of their rights, which they hold as the sons of
Englishmen, is in your breasts. That you will not stain
the laurels you have gained from France, by dipping them
in civil blood, is every good man's hope.
Art will no doubt be used to persuade you, that it is
your duty to obey orders ; and that you are sent upon the
just and righteous errand of crushing rebellion. But your
own hearts will tell you, that the people may be so ill-
treated as to make resistance necessary. You know, that
violence and injury offered from one man to another, has
always some pretence of right and reason to justify it. So
it is between the people and their rulers.
Therefore, whatever hard names and accusations may
be bestowed upon your fellow-subjects in America, be as-
CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775.
6
sured that they have not deserved them; but are driven by
the most cruel treatment into despair. In this despair they
are compelled to defend their liberties, after having tried
in vain every peaceable means of obtaining redress of their
manifold grievances. Before God ana man they are
right.
lour honour then, gentlemen, as soldiers, and your
humanity as men, forbid you to be the instruments of
forcing chains upon your injured and oppressed fellow-
subjects. Remember that your first obedience is due to
God, and that whoever bids you shed innocent blood, bids
you act contrary to His commandments. Yours, &,c.
An Old Soldier.
To the Honourable the Commons of Great Britain, in
Parliament assembled.
London, March, 1775.
Gentlemen : At this important era, when the British
Empire is in danger of being involved in a civil war; when
Trade and Commerce are at a stand ; when all the horrours
of misery, poverty, and wretchedness, are hanging over
our heads ; when want and famine threaten to succeed our
former plenty, must not every Englishman shudder at the
approaching danger?
When from the height of power, opulence, and gran-
deur, we are on the point of being precipitated into the
lowest abyss of slavery and insignificance ; when from being
the first and most respectable people in the world, we shall
be sunk below the consequence of a Nation, what must not
be the feelings of every man, whose generous soul is nobly
excited by a love of his Country ? What will not be his
indignation ? What bounds will there be to his resent-
ment? Which of ye will then stand forth and confess
you have been the author of these measures ? The gene-
ral calamity, I fear, is not far distant ; and horrid as it must
be to this Country in general, still it will bring with it this
comfort, that wicked Ministers and corrupt Members of
Parliament must then render an account of their actions.
The publick justice of this Nation has been long eluded,
and calls now aloud for redress.
Be.ware, ye Ministers ; ye know not on how small a point
ye stand ; ye are now on the brink of an impenetrable
gulf; still ye have time to retract; but if tempted by
the placid flowings of its waters, ye think securely to swim
along the summit, ye are deceived. When once immerged,
the briny waves will use their wonted might, and foaming
billows send you down to the regions below. The people
of England are not yet fully apprised of their danger: but
be assured when they once come to be thoroughly sensible
of the calamities your wrong-headed measures have brought
on them, it will not be easy to stand the torrent of their
resentment. Your venal hirelings in the Senate will desert
you, or, if sensible of their being equally involved in your
guilt, from a sense of common danger they should stand
by you, do not think their weak arguments will have any
avail. The people without doors will resolve upon those
measures which those within should have done ; and ye
can expect nothing but that just punishment which your
folly, presumption, and wickedness, shall have merited.
It is foreign to my present purpose to enter into a dis-
cussion of those rights you, as the supreme power of this
Nation, claim of sovereignty over the Americans ; let it
suffice to say, it is not probable that men, who are descend-
ed from the same common ancestors with ourselves ; who
have been bred up from their childhood in the principles of
liberty, and have lived from their first settlements there in
the actual possession of this invaluable blessing ; it is not
to be imagined, I say, that such men will quietly submit,
and suffer themselves to be despoiled of that freedom their
ancestors have transmitted to them pure and inviolate; nor
is it to be conceived that men, who are not destitute of
spirit, and who have arms in their hands, will quietly lay
them down and bend their neck to the galling yoke of
tyranny ; or is it likely that those who have a superiour force,
able to crush their opponents, will be terrified by empty
threats or menaces, when those threats are unsupported by
authority, and unaided by justice? Your decrees will fall
into the same ignominy and contempt as the denunciations
of the Court of Rome. You might as well think to intimi-
date these people by the Pope's Bulls, as by Acts of Parlia-
ment. For what, indeed, signify threats or menaces, with-
out the two essentials necessary to support them — justice
and power ; — the one to persuade, the other to enforce ?
In the present contest with America, 1 think 1 may safely
say you are destitute of both.
Is it reasonable or equitable that such of ye as represent
Northumberland, Cumberland, or any other County in
England, or more especially such of ye as are placed in
the House of Commons by the servile and corrupt votes of
dependant Boroughs in the different parts of the Kingdom,
should govern a large and extensive Country at three thou-
sand miles distant ? What knowledge have ye of Ameri-
ca 1 What know ye of its concerns ? Have ye been in-
structed by the people of that land ? Are ye acquainted
with their manners and their customs ; the state of their
finances ; the riches and numbers of their people, and what
imposts they are able to bear, and what would entirely
crush them ? To all these questions I believe I may safely
answer in the negative : But in reply you say, you think
it is reasonable that they, as members of the British Em-
pire, should bear a part of the burden and expense, not
considering that by the advantages which accrue to Great
Britain from the Commerce of these countries, and by the
restrictions we have laid on their Trade with all other Na-
tions, we already receive more and greater benefits from
them than their proportion of taxes would amount to.
Wisely then have ye done to stop this certain source of
riches, from the vain and improbable hope of taking from
them by force what they already paid with good will.
I need not remind you of the story of the old woman,
whose hen brought her a golden egg every morning, and
would have continued so to do had not the covetous old
hag thought, by killing the hen, she should at once obtain
the whole mass of riches, which now she could only re-
ceive by detail, and accordingly put in force this cruel reso-
lution. The fable tells you what was the consequence.
Now, how nearly you stand in the same predicament
with this old woman, I leave to yourselves to determine :
But if I grant that the Americans should pay a proportional
tax, besides maintaining their own internal Government,
what right have ye to be the assessors ? To sit in the
British Parliament, a landed qualification is necessary.
But where must that qualification be situated ? Why,
within the Island of Great Britain. It is a maxim of our
law, that no man shall be taxed but by his own consent,
given either in person or by his Representative. I should
be glad to know what assent ye can give for the Ameri-
cans. Few or none of ye possess any property in Ameri-
ca, or if ye do, it is not in virtue of such property ye sit in
the British Senate ; therefore, whatever burden you lay on
their shoulders will be so much clear gains to yourselves.
You will not feel the weight of the taxes, which, with so
much ease and confidence, you order to be levied on the
Americans. Some of you. indeed, may know the value
of the sums raised, by the shares you received of the spoils.
The Minister cannot be so ungrateful as to neglect adding
to your salaries, when by your means he shall have brought
about his end, and increased his own. But how. weak
these measures are, and how ineffectual, a very short time
will demonstrate. Indeed, except yourselves, who will
not be convinced ? Every one is sensible of the dangerous
situation to which we are now reduced.
Now, gentlemen, let me advise you, as you regard your
own prosperity — let me conjure you as you value your
safety, to consider well the situation of this unfortunate
Country ; look on the dangers that threaten it on every
hand ; consider not only the inexpediency of those measures,
but the total inability of this Country to go through with
them. Do you imagine the French and Sjianiards will
be tame and idle spectators, when they see us once deeply
involved in a war with our Colonies? Throw off" then
your supine indolence; awake from your lethargick state;
and if ye will not be excited by the desire of doing good,
awake at least to the sense of your own danger. Think
when the general calamity comes, who will be the objects
of publick odium. Will not the advisers of these destruc-
tive measures be the first sacrifices to the publick clamour?
When the Merchants, Traders, and Manufacturers are starv-
ing : when the whole mass of the people are in misery and
distress, what security can you expect to find? Where
will you hope to conceal yourselves? Will you be safe
CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775.
even within these sacred walls : Or rather, may you not
fear being pursued, not only there, but even into your most
secret lurking holes: Strafford and Laud were con-
demned, and justly executed for being the advisers of
arbitrary measures. The King, had be been able, would
have protected them ; they only echoed back to him his
own sentiments, strengthened by their flattery ami
quiousness. Rut weak is [he power of rulers when opposed
to the wants and distresses, the rage and resentment of the
rnullil
When the artificers and handicraftsmen come by thou-
sands to your House, demanding bread, it will be too late
to argue ; — the mischief will be done. You then will hue
only to conceal your obnoxious heads, and save yourselves
if you can, from popular resentment and publick justice.
'There may be a time, and I believe that time will soon
come, when the nod and smiles of the Minister will bo
shunned with as much care as they are now sought for with
eagerness
Once more I admonish you to awake before it is too late.
Stop the further progress of the evil ye cannot now totally
cure ; and though ye will not be roused by a love of your
Country, nor a sense of the impending ruin which threatens
us, yet consider your own danger, as most assuredly such
of ye as have been the advisers of these measures will be
the first sacrifices, Repeal then these accursed Acts ;
acknowledge yourselves to have been in the wrong, and
thus atone, as much as now lies in your power, for the mis-
chiefs you have already occasioned. Monitor.
COUNCIL, OF NORTH-CAROLINA.
At a Council held at Newbern, in North- Carolina,
the 1st of March, 1775,
Present: His Excellency the Governour, the Hon. Jas.
Hasell, Hon. John Rutherford, Hon. Samuel Strudwicke,
Martin Howard, and Samuel Cornell, Esquires.
His Excellency informed the Hoard that he had observed
an Advertisement published in the Newspapers, and circu-
lated through this Colony by Handbills, dated Perquimons
County, 11th February, 1775, requesting the Counties
and Towns thereof, to elect Delegates to represent them
in Convention, at the Town of Newbern, on Monday,
the third of April next, and signed John Harvey, Mode-
rator. And considering such proceedings to be highly
derogatory to the dignity of the Legislature appointed to
meet at the same time, and in every light illegal and incon-
sistent with good order and Government, recommended the
matter to the consideration of the Board, and desired their
advice of the measures to be taken to contravene the design
of said Advertisement.
The Board conceiving the highest detestation of such
proceedings, were unanimous in advising His Excellency to
issue a Proclamation to inhibit and forbid such illegal meet-
ing ; in the following words :
By His Excellency Josiah Martin, Esquire, Captain
General, Governour, and Commander-in-chief in and
over the said Province :
A Proclamation.
Whereas, an Advertisement is printed in the publick
Newspapers, and also industriously circulated about this
Colony in handbills, dated from Perquimons County, the
Hth day of February, 1775, requesting the Counties and
lowns thereof to elect Delegates to represent them in
Convention, at the Town o( Newbern, on Monday, the 3d
day of April next, and signed John Harvey, Moderator.
And whereas, the name and authority of such an officer,
and such meeting, ,s unknown to the Laws and Constitution
ot this Country ; and such an invitation to the people may
tend to ensnare the unwary and ignorant among His Ma-
jesty s loyal and faithful subject, in this Province, to par-
take in the guilt of such unlawful proeeedings-
Ami whereas, the Assembly of this Province, duly
elected, is the only true and lawful representation of the
people, and is competent to every legal act that Representa-
tives of the people can do ; and as an attempt to excite the
people to choose another body of Representatives to meet
at the time and place appointed for the meeting of the As-
sembly, is to betray them into a violation of the Cor,
lion, in a point wherein they are most materially concerned
to support it : a contempt of that branch of the Legislature
which represents the people, and highly derogatory to its
power, rights, and privileges ; I have thought proper, by and
with the advice and consent of His Majesty's Council of
this Province, to issue this Proclamation : and 1 do hereby
earnestly exhort the many good people of this Province,
who have to their honour, hitherto prudently withstood the
insidious attempts of evil-minded and designing men, that
they do, on this occasion, steadfastly persevere in such
loyal and dutiful conduct, and continue to resist and treat
with just indignation all measures so subversive of order
and Government, and so inconsistent with the allegiance
they owe to His Majesty ; and that they do not subject
themselves to the restraints of tyrannical and arbitrary
Committees, which have already, in many instances, pro-
ceeded to the extravagance of forcing His Majesty's subjects,
contrary to their consciences, to submit to their unreason-
able, seditious, and chimerical Resolves, doing thereby the
most cruel and unparalleled violence to their liberties,
under the pretence of releasing them from imaginary griev-
ances ; and I do further exhort all His Majesty's subjects in
this Province, as they value their dearest rights under the
present happy Constitution, and as they would testily their
duty and allegiance to the best of Kings, that they forbear
to meet to choose persons to represent them in Convention,
pursuant to the advertisement herein before recited ; and I
also do most earnestly recommend to them to renounce,
disclaim, and discourage all such meetings, cabals, and ille-
gal proceedings, which artful and designing men shall
attempt to engage them in, and which can only tend to
introduce disorder and anarchy, to the destruction of the
real interests and happiness of the people, and to involve
this Province in confusion, disgrace and ruin.
Given under my hand and the great seal of the said Prov-
ince, at Newbern, the first day of March, Anno Domini,
1775, and in the 15th year of His Majesty's reign.
God save the King.
Josiah Martin.
By His Excellency's command,
Samuel Strudwicke, Secretary.
TO THE PRINTERS OF THE PENNSYLVANIA GAZETTE.
Philadelphia, February 22, 177.5.
Gentlemen : I rejoice to find that, in a Province distin-
guished for its progress in science and literature as Penn-
sylvania, the few sons of despotism are reduced to the pen-
sioned pen of some ministerial hireling at Boston. Believe
me, gentlemen, your Paper did not gain an extensive cir-
culation from the gleanings of others ; its value has been
owing to the originality, as well as the elegance of its es-
says. Every Newspaper, from New-Hampshire to Georgia,
(two at Boston, and one at New- York, excepted,) would
furnish refutations of the re-publication in your last Paper,
signed Phileirene. But I will not ask you to serve up to
your readers, at second-hand, what will be more accept-
able as an original, though of a coarser and humbler compo-
sition. I therefore beg leave to present to my fellow-sub-
jects and citizens
The other side of the Question.
It is a just remark of the celebrated Chesterfield to his
son, that grant him but two or three positions, and he would
undertake, by fair inference, to prove that robbing on the
highway is an honest, and ought to be a reputable calling.
Happy would it be if the sacred rights of mankind were as
safe in this respect, as the persons of individuals. But the
superiour temptations to justify the invasion of the former,
are too alluring not to afford melancholy proofs, in every
age and Country, of a prostitution of the most shining ta-
lents, to gild the pill of arbitrary power and lawless domi-
nation. When we see a Bacon, a Milton, a Strafford, and
Bo/ingbroke, sacrificing at their shrine, can we be surprised
if men of such principles, but far inferiour abilities, should
appear among us, with the Treasury of England in full
view, and hearts panting to lord it over their fellow-men ?
Divine Providence has endowed the inhabitants of Ame-
rica with rational powers not inferiour to those of any other
Country ; it is but justice to say, they have generally im-
proved them better than any other. By their good sense
and judgment shall this author be tried, whose facts, mo-
desty, style, accuracy, and precision, have been thought
CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775.
10
worthy of a re-publication, which occupies half your last
Paper, to the exclusion of all Foreign news, for which it
has been distinguished. This fair structure is built on two
principles.
1st. That the Americans have entire independence on
the Mother Country in view, as the great object of their
present contest.
2d. That all opposition to what is called Government, is
rebellion.
Both these propositions are false and groundless ; the
writer was not able to prove, and therefore takes them for
granted; but I may, with honest boldness, challenge him,
of his adopting friend, to show, from the publick transac-
tions of any Congress or Assembly throughout this great
Continent, that such a claim was ever in their contempla-
tion. Are the repeated and fervent acknowledgments of
our allegiance to our common Sovereign; our submission
to all his appointments of office, from the Governour to the
lowest deputy's deputy; to his negative upon all our laws;
to his decisions in Council, as the dernier resort in the ad-
ministration of justice, and the payment of quit-rents ; I ask
if these are the badges of independence? But they do not
end here. With what exemplary patience and obedience
have we submitted to the restraints of Trade, and even an
abridgment of the common bounties of Heaven. Tiie
water is not permitted to (low, or the earth to produce, for
the same beneficial purposes to the American as for the
Briton. In a Country where the price of manual labour
calls for the utmost exertion of art and ingenuity, we are
restrained from slitting or rolling iron, so as to answer some
of the most important purposes in life. These are restric-
tions to which we not only have submitted, but to which
the great Council of America has professed its willingness
to submit. With what shameless affrontery can any writer,
therefore, charge the people of America with seeking inde-
pendence, when every transaction of Government, of trade,
of justice, and manufactures, originates, proceeds, or termi-
nates under the control of Great Britain. But the thirst
of power is so raging and insatiable, that it esteems nothing
possessed, while any thing remains to be possessed; impa-
tient of all restraints, its desires perpetually outrun its en-
joyments, and it can be satisfied with nothing less than an
entire and full surrender of the liberty and happiness of
mankind. What use it has made of its acquisitions, let the
deserted villages, ruined towns, and uncultivated fields of
arbitrary Countries declare. If to live by one man's will,
would be all men's misery, can we suppose that we shall
derive any relief from the number of our tyrants, or that
our burden would be lighter, because many hands were
concerned in the imposition.
Our author's next position is, that opposition of every
kind to the powers set over us, however exercised, is
rebellion. Those ornaments of human nature, Locke,
Sydney, Jloadley, and many other illustrious names, have
so refuted these absurd doctrines of passive obedience and
non-resistance ; and they are so repugnant to the common
sen=e and happiness of mankind, that it would 'be an affront
to the understandings of my countrymen to suppose they
could now admit of a serious argument. If the good of
the people is the end of all Government, if limitations of
power have, by the experience of all ages, been found
necessary for the safety of the governed, if a participation
in legislation has been found to be the best and only limi-
tation, with what pity and concern must we view that infa-
tuation which can obtrude doctrines in America long since
reprobated in Britain, as subversive of every principle of
political safety and happiness. With men of such charac-
the noble struggles of our ancestors against the prero-
gatives of the Crown were so many odious exertions of
wickedness and folly. — Magna Charta, Trial by Juries, and
exemption from arbitrary and perpetual imprisonment, are
fruits of the most detestable impiety and treason; nay!
the Resolution itself, as founded and formed by a resist-
ance to that Government, but the basis and foundation of
the present, was a successful rebellion. These are the
stale artifices of our Court sycophants of every age. It
would be an outrage upon the understandings, as well as
rights of mankind, to call tyranny and slavery by their
proper names, when they were seeking to establish them.
Under the specious title of laws and Government, they
to lull the vigilant, deter the timid, and damp the en-
terprising, till the shackles are riveted on, and the deluded
wretches find, too late, that the will of their masters is the
only law, and oppression the only Government. To draw
the line, I confess, is no easy task ; but wherever legal
Government ends, there tyranny most certainly b>
To show that this terminated as to the Colonies, in the
year 1763, a period in which the independency of Ameri-
ca was never thought of, and to which our highest hopes
and ambition is to return ; to enumerate the proofs, the
odious, but indisputable proofs of this, and to show that
our present opposition has every prospect of success, I
must refer to another letter, lest 1 should exclude some
more able writer, or incur my own censure. In the mean
time, my dear countrymen and fellow-citizens, read the
histories of those Countries which were once free ; converse
with those, (for we have many among us) who have fled
hither from arbitrary States; acquaint yourselves with their
ruinous taxes, their venal courts of justice, their merciless
depredations upon the chastity, property, liberty, and hap-
piness of their vassals; then reason, and judge, and if you
are not lost to every sentiment of publick virtue, the hon-
our of your country, and regard for yourselves and your
posterity, your hearts will rise in grateful emotions to the
Giver of all good gifts, that He has cast your lot in a land
of freedom ; and I trust you will mingle with them a
humble but firm resolution, by His assistance, to transmit
the blessings you have received, undiminished, to the latest
posterity. " He that would give up essential liberty for
temporary safety, deserves neither liberty nor safety." —
This was the favourite motto of many in this Citv but a
very few years since. A principle of action and duty,
founded upon truth and reason, will ever continue the
same, however the persons or occasions may change. Come
forward then, ye staunch advocates for Provincial Liberty,
support your principles — this was once your Law and your
Prophets — be consistent — convince the world that you do
not act upon the local views of a party, but upon the manly
and generous principle of publick good, which upon all oc-
casions leads you to sacrifice temporary e^e to essential
liberty. Camillus.
TO THE PRINTERS OF THE PENNSYLVANIA GAZETTE.
Philadelphia, March 1, 177.3.
Gentlemen : I wish to address the understandings of
my fellow-citizens, not to inflame their passions. As in-
quirers after truth, my highest ambition is to assist them —
to furnish the clew ; their own good sense will enable them
to pursue it. 1 think an attention peculiarly due to such
publications as come recommended by the graces of style
and language ; the most deadly poison may be conveyed
in the most beautiful cup ; it may be more inviting, but it
is not the less fatal. The piece signed Phileircne is not
destitute of those graces, but he has raised a fabrick on a
foundation which only existed in his own imagination.
There must surely be singular merit in that claim which
must be misrepresented to be opposed with success. When
I hear America charged with aspiring after independence,
I ask, Were we independent on Great Britain in 1762?
That is the era to which we all look back with regret,
and to which we are anxiously seeking to return.
When I hear the Americans termed rebels, I ask, Was
the Revolution a rebellion ? That was an opposition to
Government, because Government was attempted to be
exercised in a manner inconsistent with the safety, liberty
and happiness of the governed. One man attempted to
legislate without their participation ; in our ease, this at-
tempt is made by about eight hundred ; can this circum-
stance change the nature of the action ?
When I hear any one declaiming against the American
system, I ask, Are you willing to be taxed by the British
Parliament ? A fair answer to these questions I have gen-
erally found more decisive and convincing, than the best
connected chain of reasoning. If any man can answer
them in the affirmative, 1 may pity, but cannot blame him
for withdrawing from the contest. If I was asked to state
the claims of America, I should say she has none, but that
Qreat Britain should desist from innovations, useless and
disappointing to herself, but fatal to America. We are
defendants in this great suit ; we ask but to continue in
that state, in which our own reason and judgment convinces
11
CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, fcc, MARCH, 1715.
12
us our safety consists, and which the experience of one
hundred years lias confirmed, as the most beneficial for
both countries.
For this Jong course of years, America, with a most un-
suspecting confidence, resigned herself to the wisdom and
virtue of the Parent State, u hose wisest .Ministers and ablest
men wen1 content with the benefits of Commerce, and
sought no power but such as tended to its increase and
security. After a long and expensive war, in which the
icons weir repeatedly acknowledged the most loyal
subjects and affectionate Colonists, a system was formed,
which proceeded step by step in dreadful progression, till
it has swallowed up every privilege and right which ought
to distinguish an English Colonist from those of arbitrary
States. Of what importance is it to us, that our fellow-
subjects, three thousand miles off, should be distinguished
from the other Nations of the earth, as free and happy,
while we have no share in the distinction. Let us com-
pare the rights of a British subject with those of an Ame-
rican, we shall see a very striking disparity.
In England. In America.
1. A trial by a jury of his coun. 1. A trial by jury only in some
try, in all cases of life and pro. cases ; subjected in otbers, to a
perty. single Judge, or a Board of Com.
missioners.
9. A trial were the offence was 2. A trial, if a Governour pleasoB,
committed. three thousand miles from the place
were the offence was committed.
3. The Civil authority supreme 3. The Military supsriour to
over the Military, and no Standing the Civil authority, and America
Army in time of peace kept up, obliged to contribute to the support
but by the consent of the people. of a Standing Army, kept up with-
out and against its consent.
4. The Judges independent of 4. The Judges made independent
the Crown and people. of the people, but dependant on the
Crown for the support and tenure
of their commissions.
5. No tax or imposition laid, but 5. Taxes and impositions laid by
by those who must partake of the those, who not only do not partake
burthen. of the burthens, but who ease them.
selves by it.
6. A free trade to all the world, 6. A trade only to such places as
except the East.Indies. Great Britain shall permit.
7. A free use and practise of all 7. The use only of such engines
engines and other devices, for sav- as Great Britain has not prohibit-
ing labour and promoting manufac- ed.
tures.
8. A right to petition the King, 8. Promoting and encouraging
and all prosecutions and commit- petitions to tho King declared the
merits therefore illegal. highest presumption, and the Lu.
gislative Assemblies of America dis-
solved therefor in 1768.
9. Freedom of debate and pro. 9. Assemblies dissolved, and their
ceedings in their legislative deli- legislative power suspended, for the
berations. free exercise of their reason and
judgment, in their legislative capa-
city.
10. For redress of grievances, 10. To prevent the redress of
amending, strengthening, and pre. grievances, or representations tend-
serving the laws, Parliaments to be ing thereto, Assamblies postponed
held frequently. for a great length of time, and pre-
vented meeting in tho most critical
times.
In a former paper I observed, that the legal Government
of America terminated in the year 1 763. A series of acts
since that time will evince the truth of my assertion.
Then, for the first time, the taxation of America was
attempted, and has been continued with unremitted assi-
duity to the present moment— then the powers of Admi-
ralty and Vice-Admiralty Courts were extended beyond
their former limits— then our property, for the first time,
was taken from us without our consent— trial by juries in
many cases of property abolished, and an innocent suitor
laid under every possible disadvantage in asserting his
rights. Soon after, the absolute Statute of Hcnrii VIII
was revived, by Resolves of both Houses of Parliament by
winch Americans may he carried to England, and tried for
offences alleged to be committed in America. In the
twelfth year of His Majesty's reign, the charge of burning
any ot the king s Ships or Stores io America was expressly
made triable in England, to the total exclusion of a jury
of the vicinage. The Acts respecting Massachusetts-Ban
are too recent to need particular enumeration; their charter
privileges, their justice, trade, and Government are wholly
subverted, without observing the common forms of justice
What has been their case, may be that of every otl
1 rovince ; and let me observe, that innocence is a pc
protection, when no opportunity is given to manifest it.
What opinion now, my fellow-citizens, ought you to form
of an author, who calls an opposition to these measures a
" Utopian scheme, quickened into publick life by an itch of
" superiority and thirst of applause ; — an infatuation, over-
" leaping all the sober bounds of law and Government;
" conducted by men who delight in the destruction of
" peace and good order; whose safety consists in their pre-
<: cipitating their Country into anarchy and confusion."
Shameless falsehoods ! calculated to impose on the weak
and unwary; to foment those divisions, and bring on that
ruin, upon which some men mean to build their own great-
ness. No, my dear fellow-citizens, look around you ; are
the men you deputed to the late Congress, those who have
been active in Committees of publick transactions ; are
they men of doubtful characters and desperate fortunes ?
Are anarchy and confusion required for their safety or es-
tablishment in life? Is a bold step for the reformation of
Government necessary to retrieve their characters ? Have
they been distinguished for a spirit of enterprise, wicked-
ness, and folly, on other occasions ?
The man whose signature is A Friend to the Constitution,
and whose sentiments are in such unison with our author,
shall determine these questions; for he must have supposed
them applicable to this Province, or their publication here
was idle. To arraign the justice of a cause ; to entangle the
honest mind in doubts and difficulties ; to cut off all hopes
and prospects of success ; to paint in terrible colours events
which have happened in dissimilar cases, and conceal the
happy issue of similar struggles, are arts which will be
practised, and against which we ought to be particularly
guarded. I have attempted to vindicate the former, and
in some future paper shall endeavour to show, that if una-
nimity accompanies our opposition, we have the utmost
reason to hope that success will crown the work, and
though we shall continue a dependant, we shall be a free
and happy people. Camillus.
ii'r
poor
NEWPORT (rHODE-ISLANd) COMMITTEE.
At a Meeting of the Committee of Inspection, for the
Town of Newport, held in the Council Chamber, on Wed-
nesday, March 1, 1775,
Mr. John Tanner in the Chair.
Resolved, That the freedom of the Press is of the ut-
most importance to civil society ; and that its importance
consists, "besides the advancement of truth, science, mo-
rality, and arts in general, in its diffusion of liberal senti-
ments on the administration of Government, its ready com-
munication of thoughts between subjects, and its conse-
quential promotion of union among them, where, by op-
pressive Officers, are shamed or intimidated into more hon-
ourable and just modes of conducting affairs ;" and there-
fore it is the duty of every friend of Civil Government to
protect, and preserve from violation, that invaluable right,
that noble pillar, and great support of Public Liberty ; and
to countenance and encourage the Press, so long as it shall
be employed in promoting those beneficial purposes. But
when, instead thereof, a Press is incessantly employed and
prostituted to the vilest uses; in publishing the most infa-
mous falsehoods ; in partial or false representations of facts ;
in fomenting jealousies, and exciting discord and disunion
among the people ; in supporting and applauding the worst
of men, and worst of measures ; and in vilifying and calum-
niating the best of characters, and the best of causes ; it
then behooves every citizen, every friend to truth, science,
arts, liberality of sentiment, to that union between subjects,
upon which depends their security against oppression, to
discountenance and discourage every such licentious, illibe-
ral, prostituted Press.
And whereas, a certain James Rivington, a Printer and
Stationer in the City of New- York, impelled by the love
of sordid pelf, and a haughty domineering spirit, hath, for
a long time, in the dirty Gazetteer, and in pamphlets, if
possible still more dirty, uniformly persists in publishing
every falsehood which his own wicked imagination, or the
imaginations of others of the same stamp, as ingenious per-
haps in mischief as himself, could suggest and fabricate, that
had a tendency to spread jealousies, fear, discord, and dis-
union through this country ; and by partial and false repre-
sentations of facts, hath endeavoured to pervert truth, and
to deceive and mislead the incautious into wrong concep-
tions of facts reported, and wrong sentiments respecting the
measures now carrying on for the recovery and establish-
43
CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775.
14
ment of our rights, and the supporters of those measures;
and particularly hath disgorged from his infamous Press,
the most virulent, foul abuse, on the Members of the late
Continental Congress — characters which, for wisdom, in-
U'urity, fortitude, and publick virtue, deserve, and have
received, the applause of every inhabitant of this wide ex-
tended Continent, excepting a very few venal tools of a
corrupt Administration.
And all this profusion of scurrility, abuse, and falsehood,
this insidious, profligate Printer hath cast out, in order, if
it were possible, to subvert the Association which all the
American Colonies have approved, and for carrying of
which into execution the General Assembly of this Colony
have recommended Committees to be chosen : — Where-
fore, we think it our bounden duty to hold up that infa-
mous paracide, James Rivingion, to the Continent in this
odious light.
Resolved, therefore, That it is the opinion of this Com-
mittee, that no further dealings or correspondence ought to
be had with the said James Rivingion ; and we recom-
mend it to every person who takes his Paper, called Riv-
ington's Gazetteer, immediately to drop the same ; and
also take the liberty to recommend a similar conduct to-
wards him to the other Towns in the Colony.
Resolved, That this Resolution be printed in the next
^\ewj>ort Mercury. By order of the Committee,
Henry Ward, Clerk.
EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM A GENTLEMAN IN LONDON
TO HIS FRIEND IN BOSTON, DATED MARCH 2, 1775.
The Ministry, it is now generally thought, are inflexible.
Lord North was asked again and again this week, in the
House of Commons, whether he had any thing more of a
lenient or conciliatory nature to propose. He said there
was nothing farther of that kind intended ; and acknow-
ledged that the remainder of the scheme was entirely co-
ercive. When he was asked, whether the three Bills of
the last year were to be repealed, he replied, that when
the Colonies had come to an unconditioned submission,
Parliament would consider what was fit to be done.
The Ministry are now in pretty good spirits, on account
of what they conceive to be a division among yourselves
in favour of Government, both in New- York and New-
England. We think that, like drowning men, they are
catching at every straw. Such, however, we hope their
present expectations will prove.
A friend of mine saw a Letter just received from Lord
Percy, in which he expresses his apprehensions of an at-
tack being made upon the Troops at Boston, before any
reinforcement can arrive, as the people in the Province
are provided with a competent train of Artillery ; so that
all their servants have not the same assurance of success
with themselves. But, indeed, it is impossible that the
Ministry should really think themselves so secure as they
pretend to be ; and it is even thought by many that Lord
North, when he moved for the late Resolution, really
meant to have advanced some steps towards a solid recon-
ciliation, had it not been for what is called the Bedford
party in the Cabinet. Instead of this, the terms that are
now proposed amount to nothing but an insult upon your
common sense and spirit, and, I doubt not, will be resented
accordingly.
ESSEX COUNTY (VIRGINIA) COMMITTEE.
At a Committee held for the County of Essex, in the
Town ofTappahannock, in Virginia, on Thursday, the 2d
of March, 1775, by special summons from the Chairman.
The Committee having been informed that Captain Jo-
seph Richardson, master of the Brigautine Muir, since the
fust day of February last, had imported from the Island of
Antigua, in the said Brigantine Muir, four pieces of Bri-
tish Osnaburghs, and three pieces of Irish Linen, some of
which he had sold since his arrival ; and the said Richard-
son having appeared before the Committee, agreeably to a
previous summons for that purpose, on examination, con-
fessed that upwards of two years ago he had imported into
this Colony a quantity of British Osnaburghs from Lon-
don, which he found himself unable to dispose of here, and
therefore that he had carried some of it to Antigua, and
left it there to be sold ; and having found, upon his last
voyage to that Island, that the same had not been sold, he
brought it back again to this Colony, where he arrived
since the first of February last, and sold one piece of it to
one Thomas Wood, and that he has the residue by him.
And having also acknowledged that he had imported at
the same time three pieces of Irish Linen for the use of
his family, and the same having been confirmed by the
oath of H'illiam Moore, mate of the said Brigantine, the
Committee having taken the matter under consideration,
and having found that the said Richardson was unacquaint-
ed with the Continental Association, and that he had no
intention of violating the same, or any part thereof, but that
he was willing to accede thereto, and actually did sign the
same, upon the first opportunity of doing so, are of opinion
that the said Richardson deserves no censure for his con-
duct ; but that the said Osnaburghs and Irish Linen, be-
ing prohibited by the Association, be re-exported to the
said Island of Antigua, which the said Richardson de-
clared himself willing to do. And it is ordered that Archi-
bald Ritchie and John Brockenbrough do procure from
the said Thomas Wood the piece of Osnaburghs by him
purchased, and see that the said Richardson carry the
same, as well as the other before-mentioned Linen, with
him to Antigua, upon his next voyage.
The Committee having determined to encourage Arts
and Manufactures within this Colony, as far as it is in their
power, do agree and oblige themselves to pay Fifty Pounds,
current money, to any person or persons who shall first
produce to the Committee five hundred pair of Stockings-,
men's and women's, manufactured in this County; a third
of which to be reasonably worth One Shilling Sterling a
pair; a third to be reasonably worth Two Shillings Sterling
a pair ; and the other third to be reasonably worth Three
Shillings Sterling a pair; of all which, he or they must
give this County the refusal, and that the County will
give for the same seventy-five per cent, on the above prices.
And that the Committee will give the best encouragement
to worsted combers. By order of the Committee,
J. Power, Clerk.
Remarks on the late manoeuvres in America, by a real
friend to his King and Country, and an American.
New-York, March 2, 1775.
Nothing has surprised people more than the Virginians
and Mary/anders joining with so much warmth with the
New-England Republicans in their opposition to the
ancient Constitution, which has been the glory of an
Englishman in every part of the world ; as there are cer-
tainly no Nations under the Heavens more opposite to each
other, than the inhabitants of these Colonies : it would be
very difficult to account for it on the principles of religion
or sound policy, had not the Virginians plainly discovered
their indifference to both — so highly revered by their illus-
trious ancestors — by an act as tyrannical as it is unjust, cal-
culated to serve private views, to distress thousands, and
to sap all the foundations of honesty and morality, by de-
stroying that confidence which is the support of out trade,
without which every industrious man is deprived of his just
demands. Can any thing more plainly discover the mo-
tives of their opposition than their having shut up all the
Courts of Justice, by which they fraudulently deprive the
honest merchant of his due, who generously administered
to their wants and supplied their luxury ; and return, with
the blackest ingratitude, evil for good. Yet this is a noto-
rious truth. Sa/lust, in enumerating the reasons that in-
duced so many of the first families in Rome to join in Cata-
line's conspiracy to overturn the ancient Constitution of
their Country, very naturally accounts for this conduct when
he ascribes it to their desperate circumstances ; involved
in debt, slaves to luxury, and ruined by dissipation of every
kind, they had no resource, no prospect for redemption,
but what depended on the success of an impious civil war;
through the horrours and calamities of which they were
willing to wade, that they might avail themselves of their
Country's distress, and find means to gratify their pride and
unbounded lust ; for this end every means was attempted,
every virtue ridiculed, every friend to Government, and
every lover of his country, branded with the most igno-
minious names, and held up as traitors, whom it would be
glorious in their opinions to extirpate.
15
CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c., MARCH, 1775.
16
ADDRESS TO THE INHABITANTS OF NEW-YORK
New. York, March S, J 77.5.
The most autbentick accounts have been received from
Greet Britain, that a large sum of money lias been issued
from the Treasury to the Minister of Slate, for secret ser-
in America. The publick is extremely interested in
the consequences of this dark manoeuvre, and therefore
every indication of corruption should be attended to, every
order in favour of passive obedience noticed, and the
authors of every measure tending to break the union and
harmony of the Colonies, held up to publick view, and
exposed to general indignation and contempt.
The application of publick moneys for secret services,
has ever been considered as dangerous to the rights of a
free people, especially in times of profound peace, when
there is no necessity that spies should be maintained, or
royal whores and favourites bribed. Such an attack upon
us is, of all others, the most alarming. It is like destroy-
ing us by poison — it places us in dangers from false breth-
ren, and converts those we esteemed our friends into in-
sidious enemies — it teaches them to speak peace, when
they mean destruction ; and, under the specious pretence
of supporting Government, to declare war against the Con-
stitution.
History affords instances of men in every age, who have
preferred the enjoyment of wealth, to the possession of a
good conscience, and who have committed the most infa-
mous actions to obtain the appellation of honourable, for
themselves or families.
Prudence tells us, that what has happened in other
Countries, and in other ages, may happen in our own.< It
certainly is wise, therefore, to be watchful of those whom
we have made the guardians of our happiness, and take
care that they do not turn the opportunities we have given
them of doing us good, into occasions of bringing us to ruin
and disgrace.
The world has long had reason to think that the depend-
ants on the favour of a court, are not fit objects for the con-
fidence of the people. It is difficult to serve two masters.
Men in such circumstances frequently cleave to their inte-
rest, and reject the duty they owe their constituents.
It appears to me very extraordinary, that the people of
this Colony in general, should consider a Congress as a
necessary expedient in these perilous times, that the letters
of the Committee of Correspondence appointed by the
Assembly, should speak the same language, and that some
of the members of that body should preside at the choice
of the Delegates, and yet, that sundry individuals (who
have heretofore been lights to the blind) should now take
so much pains to decry the measure and prevent its influ-
ence. The inconsistency is obvious, and, I fear, nothing
but a golden key can open the mystery.
Providence, R. I., March 4, 1775.
On Thursday last, the 2d instant, about twelve o'clock
at noon, the Town Crier gave the following notice through
the Town : — " At five o'clock, this afternoon, a quantity of
" India Tea will be burnt in the market-place. All true
" friends of their Country, lovers of Freedom, and haters of
"shackles and hand-cuffs, are hereby invited to testify
" their good disposition, by bringing in and casting into the
" fire, a needless herb, which for a long time hath been
" highly detrimental to our liberty, interest, and bealth."
About five o'clock, in the afternoon, a great number of
inhabitants assembled at the place, when there was brought
in about three hundred pounds weight of Tea, by the firm
contenders for the true interest of America. A large fire
was kindled, and the Tea cast into it. A tar barrel," Lord
North-t speech, Bivi :ngto?i's and Mills'' s and Mela's news-
papers, and divers other ingredients, were also added.
There appeared great cheerfulness in committing to de-
struction so pernicious an article ; many worthy women,
irom a conviction of the evil tendency of continuing the
habit of Tea drinking, made free-will offering? of their re-
spective stocks of the hurtful trash. On this occasion the
bells were tolled, but it is referred to the learned whether
tolling or ringing would have been most proper. Whilst
the Tea was burning, a spirited Son of Liberty went along
the streets with his brush and lampblack, and obliterated
or unpainted the word Tea on the shop signs.
SAMUEL ADAMS TO A GENTLEMAN IN VIRGINIA.
Iioston, March 2, 1775.
Sir: Your letter of the 24th of December last, to Mr.
disking and others, by Captain Tompkins, of the Schooner
Dunmore, in which were brought several valuable donations
from our friends in Virginia, to the sufferers in this Town
by the Port-Bill, was communicated to the Committee
appointed to receive such donations, and by their direction
1 am to acquaint you that they cheerfully consented at
your request, that the Schooner should be discharged at
Salem, thinking themselves under obligation to promote
her despatch, more especially as there was unexpected
delay in her loading ; and you have very generously
declined receiving demurrage. We have repeatedly had
abundant evidence of the firmness of our brethren of Vir-
ginia, in the American cause ; have reason to confide in
them that they will struggle hard for the prize now contend-
ing for.
I am desired, by the Committee, to acquaint you that
a Ship has lately sailed from this place, bound to James
River, in Virginia ; the Master's name Crowe! Hatch.
When he was building his Ship, a proposal was made to
him by some of the Committee, to employ the tradesmen
of this Town, for which he should receive a recompense
by a discount or five per cent, on their several bills ; but
he declined to accept of the proposal. This you are sen-
sible, would have been the means of his employing our suf-
ferers at their usual rates, and at the same lime, as cheap
to him as if he had got his Vessel built by more ordinary
workmen, from the country. There is also another cir-
cumstance which I must relate to you. Captain Hatch
proposed that the Committee should employ our Smiths in
making Anchors for his Vessel, at a price by which they
could get nothing but their labour for their pains, because
he could purchase cast Anchors, imported here for the same
price, which was refused. At this he was very angry, and
(perhaps in gust of passion) declared, in the hearing of
several persons of credit, that he was used ill ; threatening
that "he would stop all the donations he could, and that
no more should come from the place where he was going
to," meaning Virginia. These facts the Committee thought
necessary to communicate to you, and to beg the favour of
you to use your influence, that Captain Hatch may not
have it in his power (if he should be disposed) to traduce
the Committee, and injure the sufferers in this Town, for
whose relief our friends in Virginia have so generously
contributed.
I am, in the name of the Committee, sir, your obliged
friend, and humble servant, Samuel Adams.
Boston, Massachusetts, March 2, 1775.
His Excellency General Gage, in his answer to the
Address of the Provincial Congress, in October last, was
pleased to represent, as an instance of his lenity and for-
bearance, " that, notwithstanding the enmity shown the
King's Troops, by withholding from them almost every
necessary for their preservation, they have not yet disco-
vered the resentment which might justly be expected to
arise from such hostile treatment."
A second Provincial Congress has lately resolved,
"That no person or persons ought to sell or dispose of
any Straw which he or they may have on hand, except to
the inhabitants of this Province, for their own private use,
or the use of said Province."
Such a militation of sentiments between the Comman-
der-in-chief and the Representatives of the people, must
surely arise, from the different conceptions they have re-
spectively formed of the end and design of the Troops being
sent here : the General, that they were ordered here to
strengthen the hands of Government, to preserve order,
restore peace, and prevent confusion ; that they are, there-
fore, to be considered as friends, and ought to be treated
accordingly : the Congress, that they are sent to dragoon
the good people of this Colony, and successively those of
every other Colony upon the Continent, into a slavish sub-
mission to British Legislation ; which, if it could be effected,
must end in their ruin and destruction ; that they are, there-
fore, to be considered as inveterate enemies ; and that the
pursuit of every measure, whereby to defeat their purposes,
is strictly justifiable.
17
CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, kc, MARCH, 1775.
18
Straw is doubtless as necessary to make a Soldier's Tent
comfortable, as a Mattress is to make an Officer's Tent so ;
and botb would be alike withheld if they were equally in
our power. From the Soldier, because he waits only for
the word of command to cut our throats, and spread deso-
lation as far and wide as his balls and bayonet, and the
strength of his arm will enable him to extend it. From
the Officer, because being better bred, his mind ought to be
impressed with a due sense of the natural and civil rights
of mankind ; yet, nevertheless, can so steel his heart to the
dictates of his conscience and the feelings of humanity, as
wantonly to imbrue his hands in the blood of his innocent
fellow-subjects, in obedience to the mandate of a petty
Ministerial tyrant ! — For I shall never be persuaded to
believe, that the best of Kings, my most Gracious Sover-
eign, who, so early in life, is able to count a Royal dozen,
can be so lost to the tender feeling of a parent, as coming
to the knowledge of the truth, the whole truth, and nothing
but the truth, that he would not, with the highest indigna-
tion, spurn from his presence into everlasting banishment,
the wretch who would dare to suggest, under any pretence
whatever, the horrid thoughts of shedding the blood of his
innocent American subjects; who, notwithstanding all they
have suffered from delegated power, are still earnestly de-
sirous to be esteemed his children ; and could the malevo-
lent tongue of slander and defamation be silenced, would
soon become the objects of his Royal patronage : for they
never have forfeited it, unless a forfeiture can be incurred
by refusing to become subject to their fellow-subjects in
power ; or to any other laws but those to which they or
their Representatives have given their consent ; and their
firm attachment to that Constitution of Government under
which they, or their forefathers, have lived peaceably and
happily for more than a century past. 1 repeat it, there-
fore, if blood is to be shed, it will be at the mandate of a
petty Ministerial tyrant !
The officer who stoops to execute the hangman's office,
rather than lose his commission, must and will be viewed
in a most infamous light ; whilst the soldier is beheld with
an eye of pity and compassion, because the consequence
of his disobedience is death without mercy. Neither straw,
therefore, nor any other convenience that can render a
soldier's life comfortable, is withheld from him upon any
other principle than that of self-preservation.
If the General requires proof of the certainty of what is
here advanced, let him give a regular discharge to all the
soldiers under his command, and at the hazard of my head,
I will give him incontestable security, that not one of them
who is bred to labour, and is willing to work for an honest
livelihood, but his industry shall immediately be so con-
ducted, as to gain him from eighteen pence to three shil-
lings sterling, for every faithful day's work he shall perform.
For those of them that are honest, industrious manufac-
turers, convenient room and rough materials shall be pro-
vided for them to manufacture ; and for those who are bred
to husbandry, and the cultivation of lands, they shall be-
come freeholders — sufficient land shall be allotted to them —
they shall be assisted to build their houses, and supplied
with necessaries to begin their new Plantations. For all
these, and more than these benefits, they shall have secu-
rity, not from one Province only, but the whole Continent.
Although, therefore, their profession is war and blood-
shed, must they not shudder at the horrid thought of butch-
ering the lives, and destroying the substance of those who
never willingly injured them; but, on the contrary, would
rejoice to see their circumstances as comfortable and happy
as the friendly offices of their fellow-subjects, and their
own industry and economy can make them. For we have
land enough, and, therefore, room enough for a million of
them.*
I^et not then the community be charged with " shewing
enmity to the King's Troops." Let not their " treatment"
of them be stigmatized as "hostile." It arises from the
" power of necessity, a solicitor that will not be denied ;
and, therefore, ought not to be resented.
It is difficult to conceive how the General, when he
* Cannot the. wisdom of the Continont dariee motives sufficient to
i it.: tin: friendship of the Officers to tiie dictates of humanity, and
convin lat they ought, for their own sukes, to become tin:
i destroyers of Civil and ttoligic ty; since
the welfare and prosperity of everv well regulited society can rest
>re'y upon no other foundation.
Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. i
talked of resenting the hostile treatment of the King's
Troops since their arrival here, could avoid reflecting that
the complaints might, and ought to be retorted an hundred
fold.
Have not the inhabitants of this Continent, for years
past, been every day defrauded (under colour of laws call-
ed British Statutes) of money, which has been shamefully
lavished upon some of the most worthless characters ?
And does it not amount almost to a demonstration, that
the baneful measure was adopted, not to lessen the national
debt, as has been pretended, but with a premeditated de-
sign to plunder one part of the community, to bribe the
other, and, by spreading general corruption, to establish
universal slavery ?
Have not the streets of our Capital been stained with
the blood of its innocent inhabitants unnecessarily, and
therefore wantonly shed by merciless military murderers ?
Are not out liberties abridged and our Constitution subvert-
ed to gratify the avarice and ambition of a few infamously
distinguished parricides, who are willing, and by their con-
duct seem desirous to see their native country ruined, pro-
vided they may be permitted to riot in the spoils of it ?
Does the English language afford words expressive of
one half the hostile treatment — the cruel and unparalleled
injuries, this Colony has suffered within these few years
past, from the Parent State ?
Is not our capital invaded by sea and land ? — Are not
the lives and property of its inhabitants at the mercy of
Military and Naval Commanders ? — Are not thousands of
innocent persons deprived of the means of subsistence, by
the annihilation of our Commerce ? Must not many of
them have inevitably perished with hunger, cold, and fa-
mine, had not their charitable brethren, throughout the
Continent, come in aid of them ?
Have we not been repeatedly threatened with an army
of Canadian and Indian Savages to come, as soon as the
season will permit, and invade our frontier settlements, to
massacre the innocent inhabitants, and carry their children
into captivity. Upon the arrival of every Vessel from
Europe, are we not alarmed with the news of more Ships-
of-war, and Transports with more Troops that are to be
here in the Spring ; when an open rupture is generally
expected ?
Has not an unmitred, unprincipled, would-be Bishop of
New-York, in a pamphlet, under the specious title of" A
Friendly Address," but with all the rancour and malice of
an infernal fiend, threatened to let loose the dogs of war,
like so many hell-hounds, to devour us ? But let him
beware lest the fate of Actaon should be verified in his
own person.
Britons and Americans: Suffer me, for a moment, to
arrest your attention ; are not the facts above recited, not
only true, but attended with innumerable circumstances of
airoravation ? Is not the provocation arising from them in
a ratio of a million to one, compared with the provocation
arising from the pretended hostile treatment of the King's
Troops.
TO THE INHABITANTS OF THE MASSACHUSETTS BAY.
NO. V.
Boston, March 2,. 1775.
My Friends and Countrymen :
The question which we have been considering is, whe-
ther we are not so far independent of the British Empire,
as to have the exclusive right of legislation inherently and
irrefragably in ourselves, except in the instance of regula-
ting Trade. It would give me pain to dwell so long upon
a subject so generally understood in its nature, importance,
and consequences, were it not to show to what cob-web
reasonings the present scheme of Colony administration
has driven its votaries ; what latitudinarians they have be-
come, in order to execute that which, in better times, the
proudest Minister that Britain ever saw would have been
too undaring to have projected.
The right is so clear as to almost elude the force of
argumentation — so obvious, as in spite of opposing efforts,
to command conviction, and to rank high towards the scale
of intuitions — so stale, as to be determined from the first
commencement of that relation of things out of which it
grew — so indisputable, as to be presumed, and practised
19
CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, fee, MARCH, 1775.
20
upon for about a century and a half, excepting in a very
few instances of singular obliquity, by kings. Lords, and
Commons, bv Governours, Counsellors, and Representa-
tives— Parliaments, and Assemblies — Briton* and Ameri-
cans.—So confirmed as to have in its favour a whole torrent
of histories, records, motives, principles, and proceedings,
and, wha is more, common sense and fixed habits, so im-
portantly sacred, that no bold venal Parliament— no daring
mercenary intriguing Minister, excepting as above, have
ever ventured directly to encounter it. Ambition, avarice,
venality, corruption, faction, and tyranny have all covered
it. — Policy, law, ingenuity, and equity have found it un-
wieldy, and joined in ample subscriptions to its truth and
justice.— How clear, how plain, must a right be, attended
with such circumstances ?— How cogent, how convincing
the reasons which produced them ? — It has passed through,
almost unsuspected and unobscured, the storms of tyranny
and the fogs of faction, from James the First to a recent
date — to the fertile exertions of some modern geniuses,
who, by an archangel acuteness, have attempted to reverse
the tables of eternal truth, to confound the established
course of nature, and, by the awful splendour of an omni-
potent Court, to extinguish the candle of human intelli-
gence. Oh unheard of lust of power ! Quid non mortalia
pectora cogis auri sacra fames 1
We have considered the principles, and weighed the
motives that possessed the breasts of our British ancestors,
and induced to their emigration hence. We have followed
them down through their material walks, until their recep-
tion of Letters Patent, forming them into a particular cor-
porate body. We have examined the evidence on the
face of those Letters, in favour of a Parliamentary inde-
pendence. It remains that we inquire whether the same
sentiment prevailed under the enjoyment of those Letters
Patent, or Charters, that preceded, and was concomitant
with their reception.
King Charles the First w as the ever memorable Prince
from whom we received our first Charter. Soon after the
restoration of his very pitiful son, Charles the Second, the
history of the Massachusetts-Bay informs us — That the
conduct of our Government respecting its rights, in an in-
stance then under consideration, as well as in the then some
former instances, might be well accounted for, upon the
sentiments of some persons of influence then amongst
them. The sentiments which this historian says our As-
semblies then adopted, and were governed by in a number
of instances, were the following, viz : That birth is no
necessary cause of subjection ; — that the subjects of any
Prince or State had a natural right to remove to any other
quarter of the world, and that upon their removal, their
subjection determined and ceased ; — that the Country to
which they themselves had removed, was claimed and pos-
sessed by independent Princes, whose right to the sover-
eignty and lordship thereof had been acknowledged by
the Kings of England ; that they therefore had actually
purchased, for valuable consideration, not only the soil,
but the dominion, the lordship and sovereignty, of those
Princes ; and that they had also received a Charter of
incorporation from the King, containing a mutual compact,
from whence arose a new kind of subjection, to which
they were held, and from which they would never depart ;
that this was what was called a voluntary civil subjection,
arising merely from compact; and from thence it followed
that whatsoever could be brought into question relative to
their subjection, must be determined by their Charter.
And that they were to be governed by Laws made by them-
selves, and by Officers elected by themselves, &.c. These
were the practical political principles of our Government
in an instance of publick conduct, about five and thirty
years after the granting of our first Charter, when the Pa-
tentees themselves were mostly upon the stage, and must
be supposed to understand its tenour and meaning. There
were instances of an earlier date, says the same historian,
where these principles were practised upon by Govern-
ment. A very ample testimony of the sense of our an-
cestors: and which shows that the present system of popu-
lar politicks is not the creature of a modern patriot brain,
that it was embraced from the beginning, and is as old as
the Constitution— that it grew up with it, and has been its
constant companion.
In the same arbitrary reign, several Acts of Trade and
Navigation respecting the Colonies passed the British
Parliament, and the above historian informs us, that our
Assembly had a difficulty in conforming to them, the rea-
son for which, assigned in a Letter to their Agents then in
England, was, that " they apprehend them to be an invasion
of the rights, liberties, and properties of the subjects of his
Majesty in the Colony, they not being represented in Par-
liament, and according to the usual sayings of the learned
in the Law, the Laws of England were bounded within
the four Seas, and did not reach America." And in fact,
as they were not then in a capacity to dispute the point,
and vindicate their injured rights by opposing their opera-
tion, they made provision by a Law of their own, that they
should be observed, and operate by force derived from
their own acts, which would have been absurd had they
admitted the supreme authority of Parliament.
Edward Bandolph, who was a busy instrument in the
hands of Government, and deeply interested in Colony
affairs, in 1676, represents to the Lords of His Majesty's
Most Honourable Privy Council, appointed a Committee
for Trade and Plantations — " That no Law is in force or
esteem here, but such as are made by the General Court,
and therefore it is accounted a breach of their privileges,
and a betraying of the liberties of their Commonwealth,
to urge the observations of the Laws of England.''
And further, that " there was no notice taken of the Act
of Navigation, Plantation, or any other Laws made in Eng-
land for the regulation of Trade ;" that — " the Govern-
ment would make the world believe they are a free State,
and do act in all matters accordingly ; that the Magistrates
ever reserve to themselves a power to alter any Law not
agreeing with the absolute authority of their Government,
acknowledging no superiour;" and that "the Governour
had declared to him, that the Laws of Parliament obligeth
them in nothing but what consists with the interests of the
Colony, and that the Legislative power and authority is
and abides with the Colony solely." This same Bandolph,
in a Letter to the Bishop of London, wherein he urges
for a quo warranto against their Charter, says, that " inde-
pendence in Government is claimed and daily practised.''
Vide The •publication of Papers by the late Governour
Hutchinson. We have adduced a continued series of facts
from an indisputable authority in this case, which proves
beyond a doubt the sense that one of the parties had of
our first Charter, almost from its first commencement to its
final dissolution. Instances might be multiplied, but they
are unnecessary to those who have not their minds steeled
against the impressions of truth. — There are some, like
the adder, whose deaf ear the thunder from Sinai would
not penetrate — these must abide the consequences of their
obstinacy, and grope in the dark at noon-day, until their
feet stumble on the black mountains, clanking with chains
and with fetters.
The Agents who were unsuccessfully employed by this
Province to solicit at the Court of King William the re-
storation of our first Charter, and who, it must be presumed,
well understood the second, being present and consulted
upon framing of it upon its tenor and operation, gave as a
reason for their acceptance : — "Our General Courts having,
with the King's approbation, as much power in New-Eng-
land as the King and Parliament have in England; they
have all English privileges, and can be touched by no law,
and by no tax, but of their own making." — Vide History
of New-England.
Upon the arrival of our present Charter, in 169-2, as
appears by the History of this Government, " The first
Act of our Assembly was a sort of Magna Charts, assert-
ing and setting forth as a general privilege, ' That no aid,
tax, tallage, assessment, custom, loan, benevolence, or
imposition whatever, shall be laid, imposed, or levied on
any of their Majesties' subjects, or their estates, on any
pretence whatever, but by the Act and consent of the Go-
vernor, Council, and Representatives of the people assem-
bled in General Court.' " The above are a few, out of
the many instances that might be adduced, where the sense
of our ancestors, in a continued and uniform succession of
events, is clear, full, and to the point. Could these, and
similar instances, have escaped the extensive reading of
the fair, of the impartial, and modest Massachiisettensis 1
Especially as they are related by his favourite author, " his
setting Sun ':" Could he have read them, and yet, con-
21
CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, fee, MARCH, 1775.
22
sistent with that tremendous regard to truth and rigid im-
partiality which he every where superabundantly professes,
with serious solemnity declare, that " the denial of our being
subject to the authority of the British Parliament is new.
And that it is beyond a doubt, that it was the sense, both of
the Parent State and our ancestors, that they were to remain
subject to Parliament ?" — And, "that if a person had, some
fifteen years ago, undertaken to prove that the Colonies
were annexed to the Realm, were a part of the British
Empire or Dominion, and, as such, subject to the authority
of the British Parliament, he would have acted as ridicu-
lous a part as to have undertaken to prove a self-evident
proposition. — And had any person denied it, he would have
been called a fool, or madman." Pause, my friends.
You may learn from this instance, the great facility of
bare assertions without proof, as well as the persuasive air
and graceful talent at making them — if misrepresentations
can be graceful.
If the apprehension of the King, who was the other
party to our Charter, and the sense of the Nation, at the
time it was granted, coincided with the sentiments of our
predecessors, it must exclude all doubt respecting our sub-
jection ; every quibbling mouth must be stopped from the
irresistible conviction of the heart — and every honest man
become an advocate for our exemption from the supreme
authority of the British Parliament. To this, my coun-
trvmen, permit me to ask your close and candid attention.
The Colonies in general are in the same predicament.
The independence of one will prove the independence of
all.* It may not be altogether impertinent to take a gene-
ral survey of the doctrines and principles that formed the
temper of the times in the reign of Charles the First. The
ideas of British Government were founded upon the feu-
dal system of policy, introduced by our Saxon auxiliaries,
who, after subduing the Kingdom, divided the land among
individuals in proportion to their rank and degree ; and
every man who by this division became a Freeholder, was
then a Member of their Witten Gemote, or Parliament.
This feudal polity was universally received, improved, and
established in England, by the arbitrary will of the Norman
Conqueror and his powerful Barons. In consequence of
which it became a fundamental maxim and necessary prin-
ciple in the English Constitution, " that the King' was the
universal Lord and original proprietor of all the lands in
his Kingdom ; and that no man doth, or can possess any
part of it, but what was mediately or immediately derived
as a gift from him, to be held upon feudal services." This
scheme of policy, as it respected the King's prerogatives, con-
tinued down until the Statutes of the 12th Charles II., Cap.
24, by which all its branches were lopped off at one blow,
and in the reign of ll'illiam the Third, of glorious memo-
ry, by the Revolution principles, was torn up root and
trunk, and the whole tables of power and property re-
versed. The policy and principles of their Witten Gemote,
or Parliament, which contained the life and soul of the
English Constitution, survived unimpaired this general
wreck of preposterous prerogatives. The Nation viewed
the power of Parliament as only extending to those assem-
bled therein personally or by Representatives, and assent-
ing to Laws so made. They must have considered, to be
consistent with themselves, an extension of the authority
of this Assembly to those who have no voice, connection,
or influence therein, as unnatural, unjust, and repugnant to
the first principles and policy of their Constitution. Charles
the First, taught by the examples of his predecessors, and
confirmed in his errour by his Court sycophants, attempted
to govern the Nation by the terrors of Royalty, and the
absurd doctrine of a Divine, indefeasible right. In the
reign of his father, James the First, the Judges of England
determined that the King had a right to levy taxes, called
tonnage and poundage, without the consent of Parliament.
Charles, like an absolute monarch, governed the Nation
eleven years without his Commons. For a long time he
had exacted tonnage, poundage, ship-money impositions,
with other arbitrary taxes, and exercised the right of selling
monopolies, requiring benevolences, loans, &tc, against the
* By iml p indi oc - is not meant anything inconsistent with the strict.
ion to our gracious Sovereign, who gloriaa in
b ling born a Briton — thi gem in whose crown is to rule in the
over Freemen; or inconsistent with that authority of
Parliament neceasary for the regulation of Trade, the rectitude and
- of which we cheerfully acknowledge.
repeated remonstrances of the Nation. The claiming of
these rights, and contending for these prerogatives, was
what finally cost him his Crown, and that head which was
unworthy to wear it. Ship-money was the tax unauthor-
ized by Parliament, in which the famous Hampden stood
forth as a champion for the people. The cause was argued
in the Court of Exchequer, before all the Judges of Eng-
land. Hampden was cast — the Nation roused — and the
struggle for Liberty soon began.
Can any one suppose, without doing violence to common
sense, that a King, contending for such a plenitude of
power, in which he was supported by the examples of his
predecessors, and the solemn adjudication of his Judges ;
possessing such principles, of which he was so tenacious as
to seal them with his own blood and the blood of his
favourites, meant to imply, in a Charter given to our ances-
tors, where he grants and yields to them and their suc-
cessors, that they and every one of them shall be free and
quit from all taxes, subsidies, and customs in New-England,
for the space of seven years, and from all taxes and im-
positions for the space of twenty-one years, upon all Goods
and Merchandise, at any time or times hereafter, either
upon importation thither, or exportation from thence, &tc. — -
I say meant to imply that after the expiration of those terms,
they should be liable to impositions and taxes from Parlia-
ment, and not from himself, (as he considered in some
cases his subjects in England,) independent of Parliament,
or rather, that during these terms he would not himself re-
quire us to grant him any subsidies, aids, &.c. Can any
person imagine this ? Was Massachusettensis serious when
he said it? Thus we have an argument, a priori, the
granting of our first Charter, of the sense of the grantor,
as we had with respect to our ancestors.
I am not yet done with this clause, which, we are told
with an air of merriment, is rather an unfavourable circum-
stance for those who call the three-penny duty on Tea
unconstitutional. If the King has considered this Colony
as a pari of the British Empire, and subject to the author-
ity of Parliament, would he, could he by his own authority,
have exempted it from taxes for seven or twenty years ?
If he could grant to one part of the British Empire to be
free and quit from taxes, for the same reason he might to
any and every part, and so lay the whole expense of Go-
vernment upon a few individuals. If he could do this for
seven or twenty years, for the same reason he might for
seventy or seventy times seventy. This proves to demon-
stration, either that Charles the First apprehended, how-
ever the fact might be, that this Colony was not a part of
the British Empire, or if it was, that it was not within the
jurisdiction of Parliament. He undoubtedly viewed us as
holding our lands of him as Lord paramount, according to
the fictitious doctrine of the feudal system, and the Parlia-
ment strangers to the transaction.
If it should be said, although this clause does not im-
ply the right in Parliament, yet it proves a right in the
King to tax us, and we had as good be under the arbitrary
power of the former, as subject to the will or caprice of the
latter ; we answer, that the present question is not what is
best, but what is in reality the fact — not concerning the
power of the King, but the right of Parliament. How-
ever, it is infinitely better to have but one tyrant than a
million. We should have no objection to the King's tax-
ing us by our own Assemblies. But these matters we will
consider when we come to them ; at present they are
nothing to the purpose.
" In 1621, when the Commons proposed a bill to James
the First, for the free liberty of fishing and fishing voyages,
to he made and performed on the sea-coasts and places of
Newfoundland, Virginia, and New-England, and other
Countries, and parts of America" the Secretary of State
was sent by His Majesty with the following declaration to
the House of Commons, viz: "America is not annexed
to the Realm, nor within the jurisdiction of Parliament ;
you have, therefore, no right to interfere :" and for this rea-
son the bill was crushed. In like manner, when a bill re-
specting America was offered by the two Houses of Par-
liament to King Charles the First, (the very Prince who
granted our Charter,) for his Royal assent, he refused it,
living as a reason, " that the Colonies were without the
Realm and jurisdiction of Parliament." This needs no
comment.
28
CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, fee, MARCH, 1775.
24
This same King, in a Commission to the Right Reve-
rend Father in God, the Archbishop of Canterbury, with a
number of others, forming them into a Committee for He-
rniating of Plantations, after premising that divers of his
subjects, with their exceeding industry and charge, had de-
duced great numbers of English subjects into several Colo-
nies, in several places of the world, either altogether desert
and unpeopled, or enjoyed by savage and barbarous Na-
tions, gives of his mere grace to the said Commissioned,
the following powers of protection and Government, over
all English Colonies already planted, or that may in future
be plained, viz : Power to make Laws, Ordinances, and Con-
stitutions concerning the publick shite of the said Colo-
nies or individuals.— Power for ordering and directing them
in their demeanour towards foreign Princes and their sub-
jects, towards ourselves and our subjects, within any foreign
parts, beyond seas, during their voyages upon the seas, or
to and from the same. — Power to inflict punishment on
all offenders, violators of Constitutions and Ordinances, by
imprisonment, restraint, or by loss of life or member. — To
remove all Governours and Presidents from their places,
and to appoint others in their stead ; to punish them by a
deprivation of their Provinces, or pecuniary mulcts. — Power
to ordain and constitute Judges, Magistrates, Tribunals,
Courts of justice, forms of judicature, and manner of pro-
cess, in all cases, civil or criminal. — Power to alter, revoke,
and repeal, all the laws and ordinances, although they may
have had our Royal assent ; to make new ones, and to new
and growing evils and perils, to apply new remedies, in such
manner and so often as unto you shall appear necessary and
expedient. — And power to hear and determine all complaints
against the whole bodies of the Colonies themselves, or
any Governour, and to demand delinquent Governours to
England, or into any other part, according to your discre-
tion, and also to revoke Charters, if not duly obtained, or
if hurtful to our Crown and Royal prerogatives ; and to do
all other things which shall be necessary for the wholesome
government and protection of the said Colonies, and our
people therein abiding," Sic. &,c. &.c.
This was the very Prince who granted our Charter. If
the British Parliament bad been a Court, in the apprehen-
sion of this King, which had cognizance of those matters,
would he have erected another, with all the powers that
Parliament possess over any part of the British Empire
for these regulations ? Or, if in apprehension of the British
Parliament themselves, would they have acquiesced in, and
submitted to the exercise of such powers ? Could the
most absolute King that ever swayed the British Sceptre,
have exercised such powers over any part of the Empire
that was within the jurisdiction of Parliament ? Has the
Grand Monarch more authority ? Does not this prove
beyond a contradiction, that Charles the First viewed the
Colonies as independent of the Empire, and exempt from
the authority of Parliament, even in the matter of regula-
ting Trade ? Lay your hand upon your breast, and let con-
science answer.
In the reign of Charles the Second, several Acts passed
abridging Trade with foreign Countries, and imposing duties
upon several branches of Commerce between the Colonies,
for the express purpose of regulating Trade, as the preamble
of the Acts themselves demonstrate, and not to raise a Re-
venue to the Crown by the authority of Parliament. Vir-
ginia considered even these as grievances, and sent Agents
to England to remonstrate against taxes and impositions
being laid upon the Colony by the authority of Parliament.
This produced a declaration from the King, under the
Privy Seal, asserting that " Taxes ought not to be laid upon
the inhabitants and proprietors of the Colony but by the
common consent of the General Assembly of the Colony."
Accordingly, this Monarch, when a permanent Revenue for
the support of Civil Government in Virginia was deemed
necessary, did not attempt it by Parliamentary authority,
but applied to their General Assembly ; and an Act passed
under the Great Seal, in which it was enacted, "by the
King's most Excellent Majesty," by and with the consent
of the Colony of Virginia, tic. This Act granted a duty
on Tobacco, for the support of Civil Government, which
is still paid by virtue of it. Had this Colony been a part
of the British Empire, in the apprehension of the King,
he could not have become a pan of their Legislative
authority, in making a law to tax the people there!' This
would involve the political solecism, with a witness, of t'm-
ptrium in imperio; the King, Lords, and Commons form-
ing the only Legislative power over the British Empire.
The Parliament passing this affair over suit tilentio, shows
sufficiently their apprehension of the matter. In these
instances, the sense of Charles the First, of his immediate
predecessor, and successor; three successive King?, privy
in the order of events to our emigration, incorporation, and
legislation under that incorporation, is as clear, and as full
as words or actions could make them.
It is obvious to observe here, that a compact, or an agree-
ment between parties, is only the mutual assent or consent
of their minds, touching something which is the subject
matter of their contract. The writing upon parchment or
paper, is only the evidence of this assent. The agreement
is, in the language of the learned, aggrcgatio mentium in
realiqua facta vel facienda.
Make, my friends, a recollective pause. Permit me to
ask you the following simple questions: Does not the King
of England hold his Crown by compact? Is not the rela-
tion that is subsisting between him and his subjects in
Great Britain, founded upon compact? Is not the rela-
tion that is subsisting between us and Great Britain, found-
ed upon compact? Was not our Charter the evidence
of this compact ? Was it not the sense of King Charles
the First, and of our ancestors, the parties to this Charter,
that this Colony was not a part of the Empire, and should
not be subject to the authority of Parliament? Is not this
sense of the parties, the very essence and vitals of the
compact? Were we not, then, upon the reception of our
Charter, independent of the Supreme power of the Parent
State? And are we not so now, of course, unless some
subsequent transaction has united us? If you cannot an-
swer all these questions clearly in the affirmative, I have
only this favour to ask, which you cannot reasonably deny
me, that you carefully review our past reasonings upon
those subjects, with minds open to conviction; reconsider
adduced facts fairly to their nature, tendency, and circum-
stances ; and deliberately revolving the whole process in
your own breast, judging for yourselves, yield your assent
wherever the evidence preponderates.
You will excuse me, my fellow-countrymen, for having
carried you into this dry detail of historical matters — mat-
ters that are well known — that have been often repeated.
My design was to stir up your pure minds, by way of
remembrance, when you are told, with an air of seriousness
bordering upon devotion, that the Colonies have always
been considered by the British Nation, and by the Colonists
themselves, until within these few years, as within the juris-
diction of Parliament ; a representation as remote from
truth, as was ever propagated by the tongue of man, or the
pen of prostitution ; at a time when Royal Charters, Na-
tional Faith, and the eternal principle of justice, on which
they are founded, are puffed away by a British Senate, as
motes and straws floating in the air ; and the civil and na-
tural rights of as loyal a people as ever breathed God's air,
or trod his earth, all prostrate at the feet of a Minister of
State, are by his • ••»•»*»*****, wantonly trampled
under foot.
It is unnecessary to say any thing to rouse the Americans.
That man must be dead — past reanimating, who is not
wide awake. He would discharge a kinder office, was there
not danger of our dozing too long, who would administer
political opiates, to render us, if possible, insensible of the
cruel, barbarous, distressing, horrid oppressions we suffer,
and unfeeling to the studied indignities that are offered us ;
that would enable us to suppress the emotions and ebulli-
tions of an English heart ; and by our spirit and firmness,
moderation and forbearance, form a paradox which none
but Americans can solve ; keeping our swords in their scab-
hards, unless urgent necessity, or self-preservation should
call them forth, and sheath them elsewhere.
From the County of Hampshire.
EXTRACT OF A LETTER TO A GENTLEMAN IN NEW-YORK,
DATED LONDON, MARCH 2, 1775.
The friends of America, on the arrival of the Packet,
were much alarmed at a report, that New-York was dis-
affected to the common cause, and determined to break the
res of the Congress, especially that of nou-iuiporta-
25
CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, Sic, MARCH, 1775.
26
tion ; however, we had the pleasure, from the hest accounts,
to find it otherwise, and that we had little reason to fear
the late Resolutions of your Assembly would produce any
change in your proceedings. 1 have now to inform you
that, notwithstanding aj] we could do, the Fishery Bill was
yesterday read the third time, and passed the House of
Commons, whereby a stop is to be put to all the Fisheries
On the first of July, except the Whale Fishery, which is
to be continued to the first of November. Every impartial
man must, in his heart, condemn a Bill so replete with in-
humanity and cruelty ; and it will be an everlasting stain
on the annals of our pious Sovereign, who, from the best
accounts, is the grand promoter of these proceedings. We
hope the firmness of your countrymen will evince to all
the world your just sense of measures so unjust ; and will,
in due season, retort them with vengeance, on the guilty
heads of the enemies of the British Empire.
EXTRACT OP A LETTER FROM LONDON TO A GENTLEMAN
IN PHILADELPHIA, DATED MARCH 3, 1775.
Lest you should not have a true idea of Lord North's
design in his motion, I send you the enclosed paper,*
which gives a pretty just account of what he said on the
occasion, and shows plainly it was planned to divide the
Colonies, as well as the friends of Liberty here ; in both of
which I hope he will be deceived. The Bill against the
four Neiv-England Governments, of which you have had
a copy, will finally pass the House of Commons this day,
and is to take place the first day of July next. You may
rely upon it, that in a few clays another Bill will be brought
into the House of Commons, to prohibit the other Colonies
from any commercial intercourse with each other, and to
confine their Trade in every individual article to Great
Britain. Ireland, and the British West Indies only. My
hest information tells me, that General Gage is still to con-
tinue in Massachusetts-Bay ; some of the Troops going
from hence and Ireland are for Boston, the others for New-
York, where they have, it is said, been requested to be
sent, by Delancy and his band of traitors — Cooper, White,
Cotden, and Watts — to aid them in securing New-York
for the Ministry. This, it seems, they have undertaken
to do, with Military assistance.
New-York is to be a place of Arms, and Provisions are
to be provided there lor support of the Army in Neiv-
England ; at the same time they hope, by having posses-
sion of New- York, to prevent any assistance from Virgi-
nia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and the other Southern
Colonies, going to New-England, of which they are very
apprehensive. I hope there is virtue enough in the peo-
ple of New- York to defeat this scheme, and that they will
banish from their society the heads, at least, of the traitors,
before the Troops get there to back them, which cannot
be sooner than the last of May.
1 do not see occasion to advise what is best to be done
in the present situation of things, because if you mean to
continue Freemen, resistance, even to the last extremity,
must be made, and, if with united efforts, it will, in my
opinion, assuredly be successful. If you are willing to be
Slaves, you are only to submit at once, and wear your chains
quietly.
I do not entertain the least doubt of your persevering in
so noble a contest, and with proper application the Colony
of New-York will, I think, join you heartily.
have the effect to prevent the Sons of Liberty, as they are
called, from committing themselves in any act of violence.
I find, by a letter from Mr. Cooper to Mr. Pownall, that
the Lords of the Treasury have had under their considera-
tion, the proposition which you transmitted some years ago,
in the shape of a Bill for better collecting His Majesty's Quit
Rents. They seem, however, to be of opinion, that the
provisions of an Act of the Province of North- Carolina for
the same purpose, which they have had before them, are
better calculated to answer the object in view than the Bill
you recommended ; and principally, because it enacts, that
no Patent, Deed, or Conveyance of Land shall be held va-
lid, unless enrolled in the manner the Act directs; whereas,
in your Bill, the enrollment is enforced merely by penalty.
1 therefore think fit to send you a copy of the North-
Carolina Act; that, by comparing the two together, you
may be enabled to frame and pass such a law, as shall cor-
respond with the sentiments of that Board.
1 am, sir, your most obedient humble servant,
Dartmouth.
Sir James Wright, Baronet, Georgia.
FROM THE EARL OF DARTMOUTH TO THE GOVERNOURS OF
THE SEVERAL COLONIES.
[ Private. ] Whitehall, March 3, 1?7.">.
Sir : It is fit that I should acquaint you that the Reso-
lutions of the House of Commons, which accompanies my
separate despatch, passed in the Committee by a majority
of two hundred and seventy-four to eighly-eight ; and was
received and agreed to by the House without a division.
And, indeed, the great majorities which have appeared in
both Houses, upon every question that has been proposed
for maintaining the supremacy of Parliament, is such an
evidence of the general sense of the Nation upon that sub-
ject, as must show how little ground there has been for
those assurances which have been artfully held out to the
Americans of support here, in the dangerous conduct they
have adopted ; and convince them that there neither can, nor
will be any the least relaxation from those measures which
that conduct has made indispensably necessary for redu-
cing the Colonies to the constitutional authority of Parlia-
ment. I am, sir, your most obedient humble servant,
Dartmouth.
His Honour the Lieutenant Governour of
South- Carolina.
FROM THE EARL OF DARTMOUTH TO THE GOVERNOUR OF
PENNSYLVANIA.
Whitehall, March 3, 1775.
Sir: By the mail of the last New-York Packet, I re-
ceived your despatch of the 30th January, and have laid
it before the King ; but as my Circular Letter to you of
this date, enclosing the Resolution of the House of Com-
mons on the 20th of February, contains such instructions
as have been thought fit to be given to His Majesty's Go-
vernours in the Colonies, in the present situation of affairs,
I have not any particular commands from the King to sig-
nify to you thereupon.
1 am, sir, your most obedient humble servant,
Dartmouth.
Deputy Governour Penn.
EARL OF DARTMOUTH TO THE GOVERNOUR OF GEORGIA.
Whitehall, M irch 3, 1775.
Sir: I have received your letters of the 19th and 20th
of December, the latter numbered thirty-five, and have laid
them before the King. But having nothing in command
from His Majesty thereupon, I have only to lament, that
His Majesty's subjects in Georgia, who have hitherto, in
general, shown so great respect for the Mother Country,
and loyalty to the King, should have, at length, manifested
a disposition to adopt the sentiments, and follow the ill ex-
ample, of their neighbours. But I trust that the measures
1 have taken for your support, and the zeal and alacrity of
the King's Officers, and of those gentlemen who you say
stand forth in the maintenance of the publick peace, will
Vol. I, Fo':o 1600, Note.
FROM THE EARL OF DARTMOUTH TO THE GOVERNOURS OF
THE COLONIES.
Whitehall, February 22, 1775.
Sir : Enclosed I send you, by the King's command, a
Joint Address of both Houses of Parliament to His Majes-
ty, upon a consideration of the Papers which had been
communicated to them relative to the state of the Ameri-
can Colonies, together with His Majesty's most gracious
answer to the said Address.
1 likewise send you a printed copy of a Bill brought into
the House of Commons, for Restraining the Trade and
Fisheries of the four New-England Governments for a
limited time ; together with a copy of a Resolution declara-
tory of the sense of Parliament upon the subject of Taxa-
tion, which Resolution was moved in the Committee on
27
CORRESPONDED E. PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775.
28
Monday last, and carried by a majority of two hundred and
seventy-four to eighty-eight.
As these two measures are as yet in the first stages only
of consideration, and as the Bill may possibly admit, in its
further progress, of some alteration, I shall only say upon
fhem, that I Batter myself that the firm determination of
Parliament to preserve the Colonies in a due dependance
upon this Kingdom, tempered with the justice and mode-
ration expressed in the last Resolution of the Committee,
will have the effect to produce such a conduct on the part
of the Colonies as shall lead to a restoration of the publick
tranquillity.
I am, sir, your most obedient humble servant,
Dartmouth.
Deputy Govemour of Pennsylvania.
FROM THE EARL OF DARTMOUTH TO THE OOVERNOURS OF
THE COLONIES.
[Separate] Whitehall, March 3, 1775.
Sir: You will have seen, in the King's Answer to the
Joint Address of both Houses of Parliament, on the 7th of
February, (which Address and Answer have been already
transmitted to you,) how much attention His Majesty was
graciously pleased to give to the assurance held out in that
Address, of the readiness of Parliament to afford every just
and reasonable indulgence to the Colonies, whenever they
should make a proper application, on the ground of any
real grievance they might have to complain of; and there-
fore I have the less occasion now to enlarge upon the satis-
faction it hath given His Majesty to see that Address fol-
lowed by the enclosed Resolution of the House of Com-
mons, which, whatever may be the effect of it, (I trust a
happy one,) will forever remain an evidence of their jus-
tice and moderation, and manifest the temper which has
accompanied their deliberations upon that question, which
lias been the source of so much disquiet to His Majesty's
subjects in America, and the pretence of acts of such crimi-
nal disorder and disobedience.
His Majesty ardently wishes to see a reconciliation of
the unhappy difference which has produced those disor-
ders, through every means by which it may be obtained,
without prejudice to the just authority of Parliament, which
His Majesty will never suffer to be violated ; approves the
Resolution of his faithful Commons, and commands me to
transmit it to you, not doubting that this happy disposition
to comply with every just and reasonable wish of the King's
subjects in America, will meet with such a return of duty
and affection on their part, as will lead to a happy issue ol
the present disputes, and to a re-establishment of the pub-
lick tranquillity, on those grounds of equity, justice, and
moderation, which the Resolution holds forth.
The King has the greater satisfaction in this Resolution,
and the greater confidence in the good effects of it, from
having seen that, amidst all the intemperance into which a
people, jealous of their liberties, have been unfortunately
misled, they have nevertheless avowed the justice, the
equity, and the propriety of subjects of the same State con-
tributing, according to their abilities and situation, to the
Publick Burdens; and I think I am warranted in saying
that this Resolution holds no proposition beyond that.
I am unwilling to suppose that any of the King's sub-
jects in the Colonies can have so far forgot the benefits
they have received from the Parent State, as not to ac-
knowledge that it is to her support, held forth at the ex-
pense of her blood and treasure, that they principally owe
that security which hath raised them to their present state
of opulence and importance. In this situation, therefore,
justice requires that they should, in return, contribute, ac-
cording to their abilities, to the common defence ; and their
own welfare and interest demand that their Civil Establish-
ment should he supported with a becoming dignity.
It has been the care, and, I am persuaded, it is the firm
determination of Parliament to see that both these ends
are answered; and their wisdom and moderation have sug-
gested the propriety of leaving to each Colony to judge of
the ways and means of making due provision for these pur-
poses, reserving to themselves a discretionary power of ap-
proving or disapproving vvhat shall he offered.
The Resolution neither points out what the Civil Estab-
lishment should be, nor demands any specific sum in aid
of the Publick Burdens. In both these respects it leaves
full scope for that justice and liberality which may be ex-
pected from Colonies that, under all their prejudices, have
never been wanting in expressions of an affectionate attach-
ment to the Mother Country, and a zealous regard for the
welfare of the British Empire; and therefore the King
trusts that the provision they will engage to make for the
support of Civil Government, will he adequate to the rank
and station of every necessary Officer, and that the sum to
be given in contribution to the common defence, will be
offered on such terms, and proposed in such a way, as to
increase or diminish, according to the Publick Burdens of
this Kingdom are from time to time augmented or reduced,
in so far as those Burdens consist of Taxes and Duties,
which are not a security for the National Debt. By such
a mode of contribution, the Colonies will have full security
that they can never be required to tax themselves, without
Parliament's taxing the subjects of this Kingdom in a far
greater proportion ; and there can be no doubt that any
proposition of this nature, made by any of the Colonies,
and accompanied with such a state of their facilities and
abilities, as may evince the equity of the proposal, will be
received with every possible indulgence, provided it be, at
the same time, unaccompanied with any declaration, and
unmixed with any claims which will make it impossible
for the King, consistent with his own dignity, or for Parlia-
ment, consistent with their constitutional rights, to receive it.
But I will not suppose that any of the Colonies will, after
this example of the temper and moderation of Parliament,
adopt such a conduct; on the contrary, I will cherish a
pleasing hope that the publick peace will be restored, and
that the Colonies, forgetting all other trivial and groundless
complaint which ill humour hath produced, will enter into
the consideration of the Resolution of the House of Com-
mons with that calmness and deliberation which the impor-
tance of it demands, and with that good will and inclination
to a reconciliation which are due to the candour and justice
with which Parliament has taken up this business, and at
once declare to the Colonies what will be ultimately ex-
pected from them.
I have already said that the King entirely approves the
Resolution of the House of Commons, and His Majesty
commands me to say, that a compliance therewith by the
General Assembly of New- York, [which has already
shewn so good a disposition towards a reconciliation with
the Mother Country,*] will be most graciously considered
by His Majesty, not only as a testimony of their reverence
for Parliament, but also as a mark of their duty and attach-
ment to their Sovereign, who has no object nearer to his
heart than the peace and prosperity of his subjects in every
part of his Dominions. At the same time His Majesty
considers himself bound by every tie to exert those means
the Constitution has placed in his hands, for preserving
that Constitution entire, and to resist with firmness every
attempt to violate the rights of Parliament, to distress and
obstruct the lawful Commerce of his subjects ; and to en-
courage in the Colonies ideas of independence, inconsistent
with their connection with this Kingdom.
I am, sir, your most obedient humble servant,
Dartmouth.
Govemour of New-York.
Copy of a Resolution of the House of Commons, -21th
February, 1775, enclosed by the Earl of Dartmouth,
in his Circular Letter to the Governours of the Colo-
nies, dated March :J, 1775.
Resolved, That when the Govemour, Council and As-
sembly, or General Court of any of His Majesty's Provin-
ces or Colonies in America, shall propose to make provi-
sion according to the condition, circumstances and situation
of such Province or Colony, lor contributing their propor-
tion to the common defence, (such proportion to be raised
under the authority of the General Court or General As-
sembly of such Province or Colony, and disposable by
Parliament,) and shall engage to make provision also for
the support of the Civil Government, and the Administra-
tion of Justice in such Province or Colony, it will be
proper, if such proposal shall be approved by His Majesty
and the two Houses of Parliament, and for so long as such
* Th;se words were omitted in the Letters to the other Colonies.
29
CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 17"
30
provision shall be made accordingly, lo forbear in respect of
such Province or Colony, to levy any Duty, Tax or Assess-
ment, or to impose any further Duty, Tax or Assessment,
except only such Duties as it may be expedient to continue
to levy, or to impose for the regulation of Commerce ; the
net produce of the Duties last mentioned to be carried
to the account of such Province or Colony respectively
EARL OF DARTMOUTH TO THE GOVERNOUR OF NEW-YORK.
[Private ] Whitehall, March 3, 1775.
Sir: My separate despatch of this day's date, enclosing
a Resolution of the House of Commons, may be ostensibly
of use in case the General Assembly should think fit to
take up the consideration of that Resolution ; but it is fit I
should observe to you that it is not His Majesty's intention,
lor very obvious reasons, that you should officially commu-
nicate it to them; at the same time as I think it cannot fail
to be an object of discussion in the Assembly, I must add
that the King considers that the good effect of it will, in a
great measure, depend upon your ability and address in a
proper explanation of it to those whose situation and con-
nections may enable them to give facility to the measures
it points to. And His Majesty has no doubt that you will
exert every endeavour to induce such a compliance on the
part of the Assembly, as may correspond with His Majes-
ty's ideas of their justice, and his earnest wishes to see a
happy restoration of the publick tranquillity.
I am, sir, your most obedient humble servant,
Dartmouth.
Lientenant Governdur of New- York.
FROM THE EARL OF DARTMOUTH TO THE GOVERNOUR OF
NEW-YORK.
Whitehall, March 4, 1775.
Sir: The American Packets having been detained a
i'ew days beyond the usual time of their sailing, gives me
an opportunity of acquainting you, that your despatch of
the first of February has been received, and of assuring
you that the sentiments of duty to the King, and wishes
of a reconciliation with the Mother Country, so fully ex-
pressed in the Addresses of the Council and Assembly, in
answer to your very prudent and proper Speech to them,
have been very graciously received by His Majesty, and
have given general satisfaction to all ranks of people to
this Kingdom.
1 am, sir, your most obedient humble servant,
Dartmouth.
Lieutenant Governour Colden.
EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM LONDON, TO A GENTLEMAN
IN NEW-YORK, DATED MARCH 4, 1775.
The news which the Packet brought us of the conduct
of the people of New- York, has filled every heart with
joy, and employed every tongue in your praise. Even
faction itself admires in sullen silence. Pursue the same
line of mild and prudent counsel and conduct, and you
will secure the liberties of your Country, and obtain im-
mortal gratitude from the posterity of even your rivals.
I am glad you anticipated Lord North's proposition, as
your honour will be so much the higher. Whatever the
enemies of both Countries may say, the Resolution which
was moved for by Lord North, is founded on the truest
policy and benevolence. While it reserves and maintains
the just and necessary sovereignty of Parliament, it invites
the Colonists to an amicable settlement of the dispute.
It draws a strong line between the seditious and honest
(the misguided) citizen, and, while it leaves the former to
be checked by the sword of justice, leads the latter to obe-
dience, by granting him all the indulgence he could ask with
safety to his own happiness. It blends that firmness and
benevolence which are always united in the counsels of a
prudent Legislature.
Such is the proposed Resolution ; which Opposition will,
without doubt, outrageously censure and traduce, because
it will destroy their sanguine hopes of success, by tending
to allay popular discontents, and renew the friendship of
Great Britain and her Colonies. They foresee, with all
the bitterness of envy, the triumph of their rivals, and
sicken at the prospect of that publick tranquillity, over the
imaginary destruction of which they smiled with malignant
joy. — In the rage of disappointment, they forgot the ne-
cessary appearance of consistency, and charge the samo
Administration with timidity and an ignorant retreat, which
they, but yesterday, censured with obstinate perseverance
and inflexible severity. The former accusation is as ground-
less as the latter. Administration pursues the equitable
and honourable line between both extremes, equally remote
from undistinguishing impetuosity and wavering irresolu-
tion. The proposition in question discovers not the faint-
est colour of a resignation of Parliamentary authority, or
sacrifice of its dignity.
The proposals of the Colonies, which it invites, are to
be made by their Assemblies. The contested question
about the right of taxation is to cease, with respect to such
Province or Colony as shall propose to make provision by
its Assembly, according to its situation and circumstances,
for contributing its proportion to the common defence, and
for the support of the Civil Government, and the Admin-
istration of Justice within itself.
By this salutary measure, therefore, the necessity and
just authority of Parliament will be preserved, and the
Americans gratified in their wish of being taxed by their
own Representatives. The Legislature will still possess
the unalienable power of commanding and emp loving the
strength of the State in the common defence ; and the
Colonies enjoy the privilege of levying taxes in such modes
as are most expedient and agreeable to themselves. While
they cheerfully contribute their proportion for the support
of their own Civil Establishment, and the general preserva-
tion and defence of the Empire, no taxes will be attempted
to be levied on them but what are imposed by their own
Representatives. When they refuse to fulfil their engage-
ments, and will not assist in bearing the common burdens,
Parliament will then only interfere, and exert that power
which must necessarily reside in the Supreme Legislature,
of obliging all the subjects of the State to co-operate for
its preservation and defence.
By this measure, therefore, Parliament will give a new
and honourable proof, that its decisions are guided by be-
nevolence and fortitude : that when it sends forth the
sword of justice to restrain and punish the factious, it
extends also the most reasonable and friendly proposals to
invite the good, though deluded citizen, to peace and re-
conciliation.
CHOWAN COUNTY (nORTH-CAROLINa) COMMITTEE.
March 4, 1775.
The Committee met at the House of Capt. James Sum-
ner, and the gentlemen appointed at a former meeting of
Directors, to promote subscriptions for the encouragement
of Manufactures, informed the Committee that the sum of
Eighty Pounds Sterling was subscribed by the inhabitants
of this County for that laudable purpose. The Committee,
taking into consideration the manner in which said sum
may be applied, so as to redound to the utility, of this
Province in general, and to this County in particular, re-
solved, that the sum of Forty Pounds Sterling be paid
by the Chairman of the Committee to any person who
shall, in eighteen months from the date hereof, first make in
this Province, or cause to be therein made, under his direc-
tion, five hundred pair of Wool Cards, such as usually
cost One Shilling and Three Pence Sterling, in Great
Britain ; and five hundred pair of good Cotton Cards, such
as usually cost Two Shillings and Six Pence Sterling in
Great Britain, which the Committee hereby oblige them-
selves to purchase and pay, ready money, for, at the rate
of Two Shillings Sterling for the Wool Cards, and Three
Shillings Sterling a pair for the Cotton Cards ; and it is
expected that the person entitled to such premiums shall
furnish them at that price. The quality and price that
such Cards usually cost in Great Britain to be submitted
to the Committee.
The Committee also offer a premium of Forty Pounds
Sterling, to be paid by the Chairman of the Committee, to
the person who shall first make for sale, in this Province, two
thousand pounds of good Steel, fit for edged tools. The
Committee are apprehensive the premiums here offered
are too inconsiderable to induce any person to attempt the
SI
CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1175.
32
above blanches of business : but they flatter themselves that
the olliri Counties in this Province, stimulated by the same
laudable motives to promote industry, one of the primary
sources of virtue and wealth, may join them, in order that
the above branches of Manufacture may be effectually
carried into execution ; in which case, it is hoped the Com-
mittees of such Counties as are desirous to contribute, will
correspond with this Committee upon the subject, that
tbe whole Premium offered may appear at once in the
papers abroad, in which it is proposed to have it published.
The Committee likewise offer a Premium of Ten Pounds,
Proclamation .Money, to be paid by their Chairman, to any
person who shall, within twelve months from this date,
first produce one hundred yards of well fulled Woollen
Cloth to the Committee, spun and wove in this County, and
fulled in any County within the District of the Superiour
Court of Edenton; and a Premium of Ten Pounds, like mo-
ney, to be paid by the Chairman, to the person who shall,
within twelve months from this date, first produce to the
Committee one hundred yards of well bleached Linen, such
as usually costs Two Shillings Sterling in Great Britain;
and the sum of Five Pounds, like money, to any person who
shall produce one hundred yards of Linen, next in quality,
not of less value than what usually costs One Shilling and
Eight Pence Sterling, in Great Britain ; and both kinds
of Linen to be manufactured in this County ; and the
Duality of them to be submitted to the judgment of the
Committee. Signed by order of the Committee,
Samuel Jones, Clerk.
Durham, New-Hampshire, March, 4, 1775.
Mr. Fowle : Whereas, some evil-minded and malicious
persons have asserted that a number of people in the Town
of Durham are about forming themselves into a Company,
in order to throw off all obedience to the Militia Officers,
and set at defiance the Laws of Government : I desire
you to publish the Articles of Inlistment in your next
paper, that the publick may judge how little foundation
there is for so scandalous a report. The Articles are as
follows :
" We, the Subscribers, no hereby agree to form our-
selves into a Company, and meet at Durham Falls, on
every Monday afternoon, for six months next coming, to
acquaint ourselves with the Military Art, and instruct each
other in the various manoeuvres and evolutions which are
necessary for Infantry in time of battle. We also agree
to appear each time well furnished with Arms and Ammu-
nition : And at our first meeting, to nominate and appoint
the several Officers, who are to preside over us for the first
month, and then proceed to appoint others for the next
month, always avoiding to re-elect any that have served,
until all the others have gone through their tour of duty,
as Officers: And at any muster or field-day, we shall
hold ourselves obliged to incorporate with the respective
Companies to which we belong, and yield all due obedi-
ence to the proper Officers of the Militia, appointed by
the Captain General ; and endeavour to instruct those who
are undisciplined in the best manner we are able."
Signed by eighty-two reputable inhabitants.
This is an exact copy of the Articles, which any person
that yet remains in doubt may be satisfied of by applying
to me and viewing the original, a sight of which may, at
any time, be had ; and was there nothing more illegal and
injurious in a late paper, signed by several persons in this
Province, I believe the signers would not take so much
pains in keeping it from the publick view. But whatever
may be the purport of that, I rejoice in laying the contents
of this before the people, that they may judge whether it
lias the least appearance of an illegal combination, or whe-
ther, on the contrary, it does not appear to be a well con-
certed plan to promote and encourage the Military Art.
1 flatter myself that even malice itself could not adjudge
this to be an unjustifiable measure, or suggest that any
part ot it looks like treason or rebellion ; and I can account
for the scandalous report concerning it, in no other way,
but by supposing that these defamers expected (according
to the custom of this day) to be rewarded for their slander
itne posts of honour or profit.
Sir, I am your very humble servant,
John Sullivan.
ON MR. SULLIVAN'S LETTER, OF MARCH d , 1 775.
Mit. Fowi.k : Iii a publication in your last paper, under
the signature of Mr. Sullivan, we have been favoured with
a copy of an Engagement entered into by a number of
people to meet at Durham Falls, once a week, for the
space of six months to come, in order to acquire Military
skill, under Officers to be appointed by themselves,
monthly.
As tins is a matter of publick concern, I shall beg per-
mission, Mr. Printer, through the channel of your paper,
to lay some animadversions before the publick upon it,
which, I think, it would be unpardonable to neglect.
In the first place, the appointment of all Military Officers,
whether for a day, a week, or a month, is the sole right of
the King, or of those deriving authority from him, and (to
treat the matter in the most moderate terms) it is a very
improper step for any body of men to assume that power
to themselves, upon any occasion or pretence whatsoever.
The Laws of the Province require the Militia to be
drawn forth, to learn the Military exercise, four times a
year, and no more. Mr. Sullivan may, probably, tell us
that this new-modeled Company does not come under this
limitation ; yet 1 presume he will not deny but that the
meeting of any part of the Militia — and these people declare
themselves to belong to it — any otherwise than the law
directs, is, at least, an evasion, if not a direct violation of
the law, both which ought to be equally avoided.
The Town of Durham, by having eighty-two of its
inhabitants employed one day in a week, (for we cannot
suppose they will mind any other business on those days,)
for six months, in Military exercises, instead of their hus-
bandry, will sustain a damage of Three Hundred and
Twenty-Seven Pounds, lawful money, computing the loss
of their labour only at half a dollar a day, for each person.
Supposing, now, that all the men in the Province, fit to
bear arms, which may be reasonably calculated at fourteen
thousand, should catch this Military ardour, as most infec-
tions are catching ; and according to the tendency of this
plan, follow the example of Durham, it would, after Dur-
ham fashion, occasion a damage of Fifty-Four Thousand
Pounds, lawful money, to the Province. A pretty tax,
truly, for a new Country! Whatever reason Mr. Sullivan
may have to rejoice in thus leading on the people to their
own damage, I am sure the Province would have abundant
reason not to rejoice in his rejoicing, but to regret their own
folly ; and it is well known that many are, at this day, in
the like predicament on account of some past transactions
amongst us. I hope, therefore, the people will judge for
themselves, and avoid incurring a damage to the Province,
which, no doubt, the Legislature had in contemplation to
prevent, by limiting the times of training the Militia to
four days in a year.
Moreover, this extraordinary spirit to acquire the use of
Arms, at a juncture when the noise of civil discord begins
to roar in our neighbourhood, marks strongly a disposition
to employ our Arms against the power and authority we
ought to support and defend ; every appearance of which
should be avoided with the utmost caution and circum-
spection.
As I wish not, Mr. Printer, to trespass too much on
your indulgence, I shall, for the present, only take notice
that, though Sullivan plainly discovers the Durham plan
to be a child of his own ; yet I still hope he will, upon re-
flection, have candour enough to acknowledge the deform-
ities of his baby, and take it in good part in me, to advise
him to abandon the system he hath for some time past
been engaged in ; a system manifestly lending to bring
calamity and distress upon the good people of this once
happy Province. Monitor.
mk. suluvan's reply to " monitor.-'
Mn. Printer: In your paper of the 17th instant, 1
observed a piece, signed by a person who calls himself
Monitor, full of ill-natured reflections upon an Agreement
entered into by a number of persons in Durham, to assem-
ble once a week, for the space of six months, to instruct
each other in the Military Art. The feeble attempts of
this scurrilous writer to display his wit in the former and
latter part of his nonsensical piece, can deserve nothing but
contempt and ridicule.
33
CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, he., MARCH, 1775.
34
His assertion, that a number of persons assembling for
the purpose of instructing each other in the art of War,
and appointing persons to give the words of command, in-
terferes with the Royal prerogative in the appointment of
Officers, and amounts to an evasion, if not a violation, of
the Province Laws, fully demonstrates his ignorance, both
of the Law and Constitution.
The curious calculation he makes of the loss New-Hamp-
shire must sustain if the same military ardour (which he
ignorantly calls an infection) should prevail throughout
the Province, merits the ridicule of all mankind.
1 am surprised that this curious calculator (while his
hand was in) did not inform us of the amazing loss this
Government sustains by devoting a seventh part of the
time to religious exercises ; and endeavour to convince us
that, as our clothing costs a large sum, it would be best to
go naked.
After which, I should be glad to know from him, if we
were to lay down our arms, and make the infamous sub-
mission he contends for, how much money we should be
able to earn in a day, and how much of our earnings we
should be able to keep in our pockets.
I hope the publick will excuse my not giving a more
serious and particular answer to the production of a dis-
tempered brain, as that might make him wise in his own
conceit, and induce this nonsensical scribbler to think him-
self a person of some consequence.
1 shall conclude with reminding him, " that a shoe-
maker never ought to go beyond his last."
Yours, John Sullivan.
TO THE FREEMEN OF VIRGINIA.
Committee Chamber, Norfolk, March 6, 1775.
Trusting to your sure resentment against the enemies of
your Country, we, the Committee, elected by ballot for the
Borough of Norfolk, hold up for your just indignation Mr.
John Brown, Merchant, of this place. We are fully sen-
sible of the great caution with which publick censure should
be inflicted ; and, at all times, are heartily disposed to ac-
complish the great design of the Association by the gentle
methods of reason and persuasion. But an unhappy
proneuess to unmanly equivocation, which has so much
distinguished Mr. Brown, and for which he has, in more
than one instance, been censured by the voice of the peo-
ple, added to the present manifest discovery of his secret
and most direct attempt to defeat the measures of the
Congress, in the case now before us, and of some very
unjustifiable steps taken to conceal his disingenuous con-
duct, hath precluded us from the milder methods we would
wish to adopt, and compelled us to give the publick the
following narration : On Thursday, the 2d of March, this
Committee were informed of the arrival of the Brig Fan-
ny, Captain Watson, with a number of Slaves for Mr.
Brown; and, upon inquiry, it appeared that they were
shipped from Jamaica as his property, and on his account ;
that he had taken great pains to conceal their arrival from
the knowledge of the Committee ; and that the shipper of
the Slaves, Mr. Brotvn's correspondents, and the Captain
of the Vessel, were all fully apprized of the Continental
prohibition against that article. These circumstances in-
duced a suspicion that Mr. Brown had given orders for the
Slaves himself, which he positively denied, asserting that
he had expressly forbidden his correspondents to send any,
as being contrary to the Association, for the truth of which
he appealed to his own letter-book. The Secretary being
desired, at the request of Mr. Brown, to attend him to
inspect the orders said to have been given, reported that he
had had some slight and hasty glances at letters written
between the middle of December and beginning of January,
and was sorry to say he had seen one directed to Mr. Hen-
derson, and another to Mr. Livingston , both of the date of
December, and a third to Messrs. Campbells, of the first of
January, all containing positive and particular orders for
remittances to be made him in Slaves ; at the same time
hinting the necessity of secrecy, as it is an article, he
writes, he could not avowedly deal in. The Secretary
also reported, that he had seen a postscript, written a few
days after the determination of this Committee, directing
the return of a Slave imported from Antigua, in which
postscript Mr. Brown writes his correspondent to send
Fourth Series. — Vol. ii.
him no more than two Negro lads, as it would be danger-
ous to sell them here. But his orders to his other corres-
pondents appear to have been so positive that they were
complied with, notwithstanding his friend writes him that
good Slaves would sell to more advantage in Jamaica than
in Virginia. From the whole of this transaction, there-
fore, we, the Committee for Norfolk Borough, do give it
as our unanimous opinion, that the said John Brown has
wilfully and perversely violated the Continental Associa-
tion, to which he had, with his own hand, subscribed obe-
dience ; and that agreeable to the Eleventh Article we are
bound " forthwith to publish the truth of the case, to the
end that all such foes to the rights of British America
may be publickly known, and universally contemned, as
the enemies of American Liberty, and that every person
may henceforth break off all dealings with him."
Matthew Phripp, Chairman.
James Taylor, Thomas Newton, Jr., Niel Jamieson,
John Hutchings, Thomas Ritson, Robert Taylor,
John Lawrence, John Boush, Thomas Claiborne,
Joseph Hutchings, James Molt, Samuel Inglis.
Extract from the Minutes.
William Davies, Secretary.
BALTIMORE (MARYLAND) COMMITTEE.
At a Meeting of the Committee of Observation at Bal-
timore, March 6, 1775, present Forty-two Members- —
Captain William Moat, of the Brig Sally, from Bristol,
appeared before the Committee, and reported his cargo on
oath, consisting of one hundred tons of British Salt,
and twenty-four indented Servants. The Captain further
reports that he took in his Salt before the 12th day of
December, and on or about that day he fell down the River
with his Vessel, to a place called Rowland Ferry, there to
take in his Servants ; that he continued there until the 23d,
and sailed from King-Road the 24th of December.
On motion made by Doctor John Stevenson, to whom
Captain Moat's Vessel and Cargo were addressed, that he
might have liberty to land the said cargo of Salt, alleging
it ought only to be considered as ballast, and was not
intended to be prohibited by the Association of the Conti-
nental Congress,
The Committee took into consideratron the state of the
said Brig Sally, Captain William Moat :
Resolved, unanimously, That the Salt imported in said
Brisr be not landed.
CUMBERLAND COUNTY (NEW-JERSEY) COMMITTEE.
Cumberland County, New-Jersey, March 6, 1775.
The Committee of the County of Cumberland, in New-
Jersey, met at Bridgetown ; and after reading the Associa-
tion of the American Congress, it appeared, by the volun-
tary declaration of Silas Newcomb, Esquire, a Member of
the Committee, that he had contravened the same, and, in
open violation of the Third Article of the aforesaid Asso-
ciation, had drank East-India Tea in his family ever since
the first day of March instant, and that he is determined
to persist in the same practice. After much time spent in
vain to convince Mr. Newcomb of his errour, it was agreed,
that it is the duty of ibis Committee, agreeable to the
Eleventh Article of the above-mentioned compact, to break
off all dealings with him, and in this manner publish the
truth of the case, that he may be distinguished from the
friends of American liberty.
By order of the Committee,
Thomas Ewing, Clerk.
Cumberland County, NewJersey.
Whereas, Silas Newcomb, Esquire, was, in March last,
advertised by the Committee of said County, for a breach
of the Association of the Continental Congress, and having
since manifested a desire of making a publick acknowledge
ment for his former misconduct, the Committee accept,
of the following recantation, viz: —
" I, the subscriber, do hereby publickly acknowledge
my former errour, and voluntarily confess myself to blame
for obstinately refusing to submit to a majority of the Com-
mittee : and I do hereby ask pardon of the Members of the
35
CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775.
36
Committee for the abuses offered them, and promise, for
the future, to regulate my conduct agreeable to the afore-
said Association, and a majority of said Committee. Wit-
ness my hand, the lltli day of May, 1775.
" Silas Nevvcomb."
Published by order of the Committee,
Thomas Ewing, Clerk.
FREEHOLD (MONMOUTH COUNTY, NEW-JERSEY) COM-
MITTEE.
Freehold, March 6, 1775.
Although the Committee of Observation and Inspection
for the Township of Freehold, in the County of Mon-
mouth, New-Jersey, was constituted early in December last,
and the members have statedly and assiduously attended
to the business assigned them ever since, yet they have
hitherto deferred the publication of their institution, in
hopes of the general concurrence of the other Townships
in the choice of a new County Committee, when one pub-
lication might have served for the whole ; but finding some
of them have hitherto declined to comply with the recom-
mendation of the General Congress in that respect, and
not knowing whether they intend it at all, they judge it
highly expedient to transmit the following account to the
Press, lest their brethren in distant parts of the Colony
should think the County of Monmouth altogether inactive
at the present important crisis.
"In pursuance of the recommendation of the Grand Con-
tinental Congress, and for the preservation and support of
American freedom, a respectable body of the Freeholders,
inhabitants of the Township of Freehold, met at Monmouth
Court-House, on Saturday, December 10th, 1774, and
unanimously elected the following gentlemen to serve as
a Committee of Observation and Inspection for the said
Town, viz : John Anderson, Esquire, Captain John Co-
venhoven, Messrs. Peter Forman, Hendrick Smock, Asher
Holmes, David Forman, and John Forman, Doctor Na-
thaniel Scudder, and Doctor Thomas Henderson, who
were instructed by their constituents to endeavour, to the
utmost of their knowledge and power, to carry into execu-
tion the several important and salutary measures pointed
out to them by the American Congress ; and, without fa-
vour or affection, to make all such diligent inquiry as shall
be found conducive to the accomplishment of the great
and necessary purposes held up by them to the attention
of America."
At an early meeting of said Committee, a pamphlet, en-
titled Free Thoughts on the Resolves of the Congress,
~by A. W. Farmer, was handed in to them, and their opin-
ion of it asked by a number of their constituents then pre-
sent. Said pamphlet was then read, and, upon mature
deliberation, unanimously declared to be a performance of
the most pernicious and malignant tendency ; replete with
the most specious sophistry, but void of any solid or ra-
tional argument ; calculated to deceive and mislead the un-
wary, the ignorant, and the credulous ; and designed, no
doubt, by the detestable author, to damp that noble spirit
of union, which he sees prevailing all over the Continent,
and, if possible, to sap the foundations of American free-
dom. The pamphlet was afterwards handed back to the
people, who immediately bestowed upon it a suit of tar
and turkey-buzzard's feathers ; one of the persons concern-
ed in the operation, justly observing that although the
feathers were plucked from the most stinking fowl in the
creation, he thought they fell far short of being a proper
emblem of the author's odiousness to every advocate for
true freedom. The same person wished, however, he had
the pleasure of fitting him with a suit of the same materi-
als. The pamphlet was then, in its gorgeous attire, nailed
up firmly to the pillory-post, there to remain as a monu-
ment of the indignation of a free and loyal people against
the author and vender of a publication so evidently tending
both to subvert the liberties of America, and the Constitu-
tion of the British Empire. *
At a subsequent meeting of said Committee, it was re-
solved, unanimously, that, on account of sundry publica-
tions in the pamphlet way, by James Rivington, Printer,
o( New- York, and also a variety of weekly productions in
his paper, blended, in general, with the most glaring false-
hoods, disgorged with the most daring effrontery, and all
evidently calculated to disunite the Colonies, and sow the
seeds of discord and contention through the whole Conti-
nent, they do esteem him a base and malignant enemy to
the liberties of this Country, and think he ought justly to
be treated as such by all considerate and good men. And
they do, for themselves, now publickly declare, (and re-
commend the same conduct to their constituents,) that they
will have no connection with him, the said Rivington.
while he continues to retail such dirty, scandalous, and trai-
torous performances ; but hold him in the utmost contempt,
as a noxious exotick plant, incapable either of cultivation
or improvement in this soil of freedom, and only fit to be
transported.
This Committee did early make application to every
other Township in the County, recommending the elec-
tion of Committees ; and they soon had information that
those of Upper Freehold, Middletown, and Dover, had
chosen theirs, and were resolved to enforce the measures
of the Congress.
N. B. A very considerable number of the inhabitants
of Freehold have formed themselves into Companies, and
chosen Military Instructors, under whose tuition they are
making rapid improvement.
Signed by order of the Committee,
John Andebson, Chairman.
MAJOR BENJAMIN FLOYD, ETC., TO COMMITTEE AT SMITH-
TOWN.
Brookhaven, Suffolk County, New- York, March 6, 1775.
Mr. Rivington: A Committee of Observation for seve-
ral Districts met on the 23d of February last, in Smith-
town, Suffolk County, Long-Island; they should have
told the publick that the few from Brookhaven were not
of the Committee. Whether any Committee in the Coun-
ty has been chosen, in the manner they speak of, we know
not. Brookhaven never was represented ; so it has not,
it cannot, approve of the Congress. We mean to consider
only what concerns us — the fifth and sixth of the Commit-
tee Resolves.
Why does this Committee so highly disapprove of the
Major and others ? Is it because he fulfils his oath to, and
exerts his power in defence of, Government ? Does his
example shame and upbraid them ? They assuredly would
commend and justify his conduct, were they not enchanted
by seditious, independent, republican principles ! It is your
opinion, that most of the subscribers in Messrs. Gaine and
Rivington's writing, were induced, &tc. It is our opin-
ion, that your opinion is a mere fiction. Have you heard
both sides ? Was there neither partiality or prejudice in the
way ? You may have an opinion that such as oppose you
are traitors ; this may lead you to proclaim them ; this may
excite you to imbrue your guilty hands in the blood of the
saints ! By what law did you form the opinion ; what evi-
dence have you to support it? For our part, we contemn
the Court, and its arbitrary mandates, that carries its sta-
tutes and laws in its bosom. Tell us the law we have
transgressed, " the unfair means we used," and who has
used any. We, who carried the Petition, used none ; the
people needed none, being generally glad of an opportu-
nity to sign it. You must know the Constitution dis-
avows ill arts; it condemns tyranny and slavery, and yours
among others. You say, you are informed a Court of
Inquisition would have said as much. Who are your in-
formers ? "A great number are dissatisfied ;" we call
upon you now to name diem, for " we are highly dissatis-
fied" with your unfair manner of stating things. We know
not any "that are dissatisfied with what they have done."
But we know some who are sorry that they missed the
opportunity of " signing it." But we will bury this pious
Resolve, with the solemnity of your next, saying it is re-
plete with the most impudent falsehoods and grossest mis-
representations.
A very ingenious writer, who is an honour to the Prov-
ince, somewhere says, " that Four Pence upon the Hun-
dred for the fibs, falsehoods, and misrepresentations of
America's Sons, would pay a considerable part of the
Nation's Debt." We are of his opinion.
" The Major and abetters of the ingenious A. W.
Farmer" call upon you to prove " them traitors." If they
are in no sense traitors, it is base and abominable " to es-
87
CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, he, MARCH, 1775.
38
teem and treat them as traitors to their Country." If
what is generally said be true, that the Congress made no
laws, then it can be no transgression to trample upon and
contemn the Association. For where there is no law, there
can be no transgression. Now if you fail in proof of so
high and presumptuous an imputation, the impartial pub-
lick must esteem you a most abusive and unlawful body.
No sacred pretext or design can justify the commission of
the least evil.
Tell us what moved you to proclaim our patriotick
Printers traitors? Do you really mean to immure the
Colonies in Popish darkness, by suppressing the vehicles
of light, truth, and liberty ? Are none to speak, write, or
print, but by your permission ? Does a conscience of guilt
and tyranny hurry the Committees to starve and murder
our virtuous Printers? One would conclude, from Mr.
Holt's papers, that they had lost virtue, honour, humanity,
and common sense. A free Press has been the honour
and glory of Englishmen ; by it our most excellent Con-
stitution has been raised to greater perfection than any in
the world. But we are become the degenerate plants of
a new and strange vine ; and now it seems ignorance must
be the mother of both devotion and politicks.
The Major and friends to Government desire the Com-
mittee, who had no right to represent Brookhaven, to take
back the odious, despicable epithet of traitors, as it is pe-
culiarly adapted to the enemies of the Country, and the
deluded abetters of the rebellious saints at Boston. For
we, in our turn, "think that they (if any) ought to be es-
teemed and treated as traitors to their Country, and ene-
mies to the liberties of America."
Signed by Major Benjamin Floyd, and a great number
of others.
MEETING AT DANVERS, (ESSEX COUNTY,) MASSACHUSETTS.
At a meeting of the people of the Alarm List of the
Third Company in Danvers, held at said Danvers 6th
March, 1775, for the purpose of electing Officers for said
Alarm List Company, Rev. Benjamin Batch, Chairman :
Said people unanimously made choice of Deacon Ed-
mund Putnam for Captain ; Rev. Benjamin Batch for a
Lieutenant; and Mr. Tarrant Putnam for an' Ensign.
The said Gentlemen being all present, declared their ac-
ceptance. Attest,
Arch. Dale, Clerk of said Meeting.
Boston, March 6, 1775.
At this inauspicious day, when Tyranny lifts her shame-
less front, and is followed by a train of unfeeling Apostates,
I cannot let my pen sleep. The enemies to Freedom,
convinced that the Americans are not to be cheated, now
openly declare that the Colonies must and will be subject-
ed by force. This brings up the last and great question,
whether the United Colonies can defend their rights ? If
they cannot, of all men they will be the most miserable.
But I believe they can, and will defend them ; and if the
sword should be drawn against them, they may strike such
a blow as will shake Britain to the centre. It is painful
to the Americans to contemplate measures which may be
ruinous to their brethren in Britain, but a tyrannical Min-
istry, encouraged by the Tories in both Countries, are now
pushing their destructive plans with such rapidity and vio-
lence, that we must look forward to the last grand step for
defence ; and if they will not hearken to the wise and just
proposals of the American Congress, but still continue to
go on from bad to worse, the Americans will be compelled,
by the great Law of Nature, to strike a decisive blow, and
follow the example of the once oppressed United Pro-
vinces— publish a manifesto to the world, showing the ne-
cessity of dissolving their connection with a Nation whose
Ministers were aiming at their ruin ; offer a Free Trade to
all Nations, and an asylum in the free regions of America to
all the oppressed through the world. This is the der-
nier resort; and this, O Americans! you can do; and
this you must do, unless tyranny ceases to invade your liber-
ties. This great subject 1 have viewed on all sides ; and
it might he demonstrated by a million of reasons, that the
Americans may thus secure to themselves and to posterity
the blessings of Freedom. Time and Judgment.
An Oration delivered Monday, March 6, 1775, at the
request of the Inhabitants of the Town of Boston, to
commemorate the bloody tragedy of the 5th of March.
1770. By Doctor Joseph Warren.
My ever honoured Fellow - Citizens :
It is not without the most humiliating conviction of my
want of ability that I now appear before you ; but the sense I
have of the obligation I am under to obey the calls of my
Country at all times, together with an animating recollection
of your indulgence exhibited upon so many occasions, has
induced me once more, undeserving as I am, to throw my-
self upon that candour which looks with kindness on the
feeblest efforts of an honest mind.
You will not now expect the elegance, the learning, the
fire, the enrapturing strains of eloquence, which charmed
you when a Lovel, a Church, or a Hancock spake ; but
you will permit me to say, that with a sincerity equal to
theirs, I mourn over my bleeding Country ; with them I
weep at her distress, and with them deeply resent the many
injuries she has received from the hands of cruel and un-
reasonable men.
That personal freedom is the natural right of every
man, and that property, or an exclusive right to dispose of
what he has honestly acquired by his own labour, necessa-
rily arises therefrom, are truths which common sense has
placed beyond the reach of contradiction ; and no man, or
body of men, can, without being guilty of flagrant injus-
tice, claim a right to dispose of the persons or acquisitions
of any other man, or body of men, unless it can be proved
that such a right has arisen from some compact between
the parties, in which it has been explicitly and freely
granted.
If I may be indulged in taking a retrospective view of
the first settlement of our Country, it will be easy to de-
termine with what degree of justice the late Parliament of
Great Britain have assumed the power of giving away
that property which the Americans have earned by their
labour.
Our fathers having nobly resolved never to wear the
yoke of Despotism, and seeing the European world, through
indolence and cowardice, falling a prey to tyranny, bravely
threw themselves upon the bosom of the Ocean, determined
to find a place in which they might enjoy their freedom, or
perish in the glorious attempt. Approving Heaven beheld
the favourite ark dancing upon the waves, and graciously
preserved it, until the chosen families were brought in
safety to these Western regions. They found the land
swarming with Savages, who threatened death with every
kind of torture ; but Savages, and death with torture, were
far less terrible than slavery. Nothing was so much the
object of their abhorrence as a tyrant's power ; they knew
that it was more safe to dwell with man, in his most un-
polished state, than in a Country where arbitrary power
prevails. Even Anarchy itself, that bugbear held up by
the tools of power, (though truly to be deprecated,) is in-
finitely less dangerous to mankind than arbitrary Govern-
ment. Anarchy can be but of short duration ; for when
men are at liberty to pursue that course which is most con-
ducive to their own happiness, they will soon come into it;
and, from the rudest state of nature, order and good go-
vernment must soon arise. But tyranny, when once
established, entails its curse on a Nation to the latest pe-
riod of time, unless some daring genius, inspired by Hea-
ven, shall, unappalled by danger, bravely form and execute
the arduous design of restoring liberty and life to his en-
slaved, murdered Country.
The tools of power, in every age, have racked their in-
ventions to justify the few in sporting with the happiness
of the many, and, having found their sophistry too weak to
hold mankind in bondage, have impiously dared to force
Religion, the daughter of the King of Heaven, to become
a prostitute in the service of Hell. They taught that
Princes, honoured with the name of Christians, might bid
defiance to the Founder of their faith ; might pillage Pagan
Countries, and deluge them with blood, only because they
boasted themselves to be the disciples of that Teacher who
strictly charged his followers to " do to others as they would
that others should do unto them."
This Country having been discovered by an English sub-
ject in the year 1620, was (according to the system which the
39
CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, fee, MARCH, 1775.
40
blind superstition of those times supported) deemed the
property of the Crown of England. Our ancestors, when
they resolved to quit their native soil, obtained from King
James a grant of certain lands in Norlh-Amcriai. This
they probably did to silence the cavils of their enemies, for
it cannot be doubted hut they despised the pretended right
which he claimed thereto. Certain it is, that he might,
with equal propriety ami justice, have made them a grant
of the planet Jupiter; and their subsequent conduct plainly
shows that they were too well acquainted with humanity
and the principles of natural equity, to suppose that the
grant gave them any right to take possession ; they there-
fore entered into a treaty with the natives, and bought from
them the lands. i\or have I yet obtained any information
that our ancestors ever pleaded, or that tbe natives ever
Hoarded the grant from the English Crown ; the business
was transacted by the parties in tbe same independent
manner tbat it would bave been had neither of tliem ever
known or beard of the Island of Great Britain.
Having become the honest proprietors of the soil, they
immediately applied themselves to the cultivation of it, and
they soon beheld the virgin earth teeming with richest
fruits ; a grateful recompense for their unwearied toil. The
fields began to wave with ripening harvests, and the late
barren wilderness was seen to blossom like the rose. The
savage natives saw with wonder the delightful change, and
quickly formed a scheme to obtain that, by fraud or force,
which nature meant as the reward of industry alone. But
the illustrious emigrants soon convinced the rude invaders
that they were not less ready to take the field for battle
than for labour ; and the insidious foe was driven from their
borders as often as he ventured to disturb them. The
Crown of England looked with indifference on the con-
test ; our ancestors were left alone to combat with the na-
tives. Nor is there any reason to believe that it ever was
intended by the one party, or expected by the other, that
the grantor should defend and maintain the grantees in the
peaceable possession of the lands named in the patents.
And it appears plainly, from the history of those times,
that neither the Prince, nor the people of England, thought
themselves much interested in the matter; they had not
then any idea of a thousandth part of those advantages
which they since have, and we are most heartily willing
they should still continue to reap from us.
But when, at an infinite expense of toil and blood, this
wide extended Continent had been cultivated and defend-
ed ; when the hardy adventurers justly expected that they
and their descendants should peaceably have enjoyed the
harvest of those fields which they had sown, 'and the fruit
of those vineyards which they had planted, this Country
was then thought worthy the attention of the British Min-
istry ; and the only justifiable, and only successful means
of rendering the Colonies serviceable to Britain, were
adopted. By an intercourse of friendly offices, the two
Countries became so united in affection that they thought
not of any distinct or separate interests ; they found both
Countries flourishing and happy. Britain saw her Com-
merce extended, and her wealth increased ; her lands raised
to an immense value ; her fleets riding triumphant on the
Ocean : the terrour of her arms spreading to every quarter
of the globe. The Colonist found himself free, and
thought himself secure ; he dwelt " under his own vine,
and under his own fig-tree, and had none to make him
afraid.'-' He knew, indeed, that by purchasing the manu-
factures of Great Britain, he contributed to its greatness ;
he knew that all the wealth that his labour produced cen-
tred in Great Britain; but that, far from exciting his envy,
filled him with the highest pleasure ; that thought sup-
ported him in all his toils. When the business of the
day was past, he solaced himself with the contemplation,
or perhaps entertained his listening family with the recital
of some great, some glorious transaction, which shines con-
spicuous in the history of Britain ; or perhaps his elevated
fancy led him to foretel, with a kind of enthusiastick con-
fidence, the glory, power, and duration of an Empire,
which should extend from one end of the earth to the
other ; he saw, or thought he saw, the British Nation risen
to a pitch of grandeur which cast a veil over the Boman
glory; and, ravished with the preview, boasted a race of
British Kings, whose names should echo through those
Realms where Cyrus, Alexander, and the Cusars, were
unknown ; Princes for whom millions of grateful subjects,
redeemed from Slavery and Pagan ignorance, should, with
thankful tongues, oiler up their players and praises to that
transcendantly Great and Beneficent Being " by whom
Kings reign, and Princes decree justice."
These pleasing connections might have continued, these
delightsome prospects might have been every day extended,
and even the reveries of the most warm imagination might
have been realized ; but, unhappily for us, unhappily for
Britain, the madness of an avaricious Minister of State
has drawn a sable curtain over the charming scene, and in
its stead has brought upon the stage discord, envy, hatred,
and revenge, with civil war close in the rear !
Some demon, in an evil hour, suggested to a short-
sighted financier the hateful project of transferring the
whole property of the King's subjects in America to his
subjects in Britain. The claim of tbe British Parliament
to tax the Colonies can never be supported but by such a
transfer; for the right of the House of Commons of Great
Britain to originate any tax, or to grant money, is alto-
gether derived from their being elected by the people of
Great Britain to act for them; and the people of Great
Britain cannot confer on their Representatives a right to
give or grant any thing which they themselves have not a
right to give or grant personally. Therefore it follows,
that if the Members chosen by the people of Great Bri-
tain to represent them in Parliament have, by virtue of
their being so chosen, any right to give or grant American
property, or to lay any tax upon the lands or persons of
the Colonists, it is because the lands and people in the
Colonies are, bona fide, owned by. and justly belong to the
people of Great Britain. But (as has been before
observed) every man has a natural right to personal freedom,
consequently a right to enjoy what is acquired by his own
labour ; and as it is evident that the property in this Coun-
try has been acquired by our own labour, it is the duty of
the people of Great Britain to produce some compact in
which we have explicitly given up to them a right to dis-
pose of our persons or property. Until this is done, every
attempt of theirs, or of those whom they have deputed to
act for them, to give or grant any part of our property, is
directly repugnant to every principle of reason and natural
justice. But I may boldly say that such a compact never
existed, no, not even in imagination. Nevertheless, the
Representatives of a Nation, long famed for justice, and
the exercise of every noble virtue, have been prevailed on
to adopt the fatal scheme ; and although the dreadful con-
sequences of this wicked policy have already shaken the
Empire to its centre, yet still it is persisted in, regardless
of the voice of reason, deaf to the prayers and supplica-
tions, and unaffected with the flowing tears of suffering
millions, the British Ministry still hug the darling idol,
and every rolling year affords fresh instances of the absurd
devotion with which they worship it. Alas ! how has the
folly — the distraction of the British Councils, blasted our
swelling hopes, and spread a gloom over this Western hem-
isphere ! The hearts of Britons and Americans, which
lately felt the generous glow of mutual confidence and love,
now burn with jealousy and rage. Though but of yesterday,
1 recollect (deeply affected at the ill-boding change) the
happy hours that passed whilst Britain and America re-
joiced in the prosperity and greatness of each other.
Heaven grant those halcyon days may soon return ! But
now the Briton, too often looks on the American with an
envious eye, taught to consider his just plea for the enjoy-
ment of his earning as the effect of pride and stubborn
opposition to the Parent Country ; whilst the American
beholds the Briton as the ruffian, ready first to take away
his property, and next, what is dearer to every virtuous
man, the liberty of his Country.
When the measures of Administration had disgusted the
Colonies to the highest degree, and the people of Great
Britain had, by artifice and falsehood, been irritated against
America, an Army was sent over to enforce submission to
certain Acts of the British Parliament, which reason
scorned to countenance, and which placemen and pension-
ers were found unable to support.
Martial Law, and the government of a well regulated
Cky, are so entirely different, that it has always been con-
sidered as improper to quarter Troops in populous Cities,
as frequent disputes must necessarily arise between the
41
CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775.
42
citizen and the soldier, even if no previous animosities sub-
sist ; and it is farther certain, from a consideration of the
nature of mankind, as well as from constant experience,
that Standing Armies always endanger the liberty of the
subject. But when the people, on the one part, consi-
dered the Army as sent to enslave them ; and the Army,
on the other, were taught to look on the people as in a
state of rebellion, it was hut just to fear the most disagree-
• able consequences. Our fears, we have seen, were but too
well grounded.
The many injuries offered to the Town I pass over in
silence. I cannot now mark out the path which led to
that unequalled scene of honour, the sad remembrance of
which takes the full possession of my soul. The sangui-
nary theatre again opens itself to view ; the baleful images
of terrour crowd around me; and discontented ghosts, with
hollow groans, appear to solemnize the anniversary of the
fifth of March.
Approach we then the melancholy walk of death !
Hither let me call the gay companion ; here let him drop a
farewell tear upon that body which so late he saw vigorous
and warm with social mirth ! Hither let me lead the ten-
der mother, to weep over her beloved son ! Come, widowed
mourner, here satiate thy grief. Behold thy murdered
husband gasping on the ground! And, to complete the
pompous shew of wretchedness, bring in each hand thy
infant children to bewail their father's fate. Take heed,
ye orphan babes, lest, whilst your streaming eyes are fixed
upon the ghastly corpse, your feet slide on the stones be-
spattered with your father's brains.* Enough ! This tragedy
need not be heightened by an infant weltering in the blood
of him that gave it birth. Nature, reluctant, shrinks al-
ready from the view, and the chilled blood rolls slowly
backward to its fountain. We wildly stare about, and with
amazement ask, Who spread this ruin round us? What
wretch has dared to deface the image of his God 1 Has
haughty France, or cruel Spain, sent forth her myrmidons?
Has the grim Savage rushed again from the far distant wil-
derness ? Or does some fiend, fierce from the depth of
Hell, with all the rancorous malice which the apostate
damned can feel, twang her destructive bow, and hurl her
deadly arrows at our breast? No, none of these. But how
astonishing ! It is the hand of Britain that inflicts the
wound ; the Arms of George, our rightful King, have been
employed to shed that blood which freely would have
flown at his command, when justice, or the honour of his
Crown, had called his subjects to the field.
But pity, grief, astonishment, with all the softer move-
ments of the soul, must now give way to stronger passions.
Say, fellow-citizens, what dreadful thought now swells
your heaving bosoms ? You fly to arms ; sharp indignation
flashes from each eye ; revenge gnashes her iron teeth ;
death grins a hideous smile, secure to drench his greedy jaws
in human gore ; whilst hovering furies darken all the air.
But stop, my bold adventurous countrymen; stain not
your weapons with the blood of Britons; attend to rea-
son's voice ; humanity puts in her claim, and sues to be
again admitted to her wonted seat — the bosom of the brave.
Revenge is far beneath the noble mind. Many, perhaps,
compelled to rank among the vile assassins, do, from their
inmost souls, detest the barbarous action. The winged
death, shot from your arms, may chance to pierce some
breast that bleeds already for your injured Country.
The storm subsides ; a solemn pause ensues ; you spare
upon condition they depart. They go ; they quit your
City ; they no more shall give offence. Thus closes the
important drama.
And could it have been conceived that we again should
have seen a British Army in our land, sent to enforce
obedience to Acts of Parliament destructive of our liber-
ty ? But the Royal ear, far distant from the Western world,
has been assaulted by the tongue of slander ; and vil-
lains, traitorous alike to King and Country, have prevailed
upon a gracious Prince to clothe his countenance with
wrath, and to erect the hostile banner against a people ever
affectionate and loyal to him and his illustrious predeces-
sors of the House of Hanover. Our Streets are ao-ain
filled with armed men, our Harbour is crowded with Ships-
of-war; but these cannot intimidate us; our liberty must
• After Mr. (Irmj had been «'iot through the bo:Iy, and had fallen
■ 'i J, a bayonet was pushed through his skull ; part of
til 3 bo:ie being broken, his brains full out upo.u the pavement.
be preserved ; it is far dearer than life ; we hold it even
dear as our allegiance ; we must defend it against the
attacks of friends as well as enemies ; we cannot suffer
even Britons to ravish it from us.
No longer could we reflect with generous pride on the
heroick actions of our American forefathers; no |on«"er
boast our origin from that far-famed island, whose warlike
sons have so often drawn their well-tried swords to save
her from the ravages of tyranny, could we but for a mo-
ment entertain the thought of giving up our liberty. The
man who meanly will submit to wear a shackle, contemns
the noblest gift of Heaven, and impiously affronts the Ood
that made him free.
It was a maxim of the Roman people, which eminently
conduced to the greatness of that State, never to despair of
the Commonwealth. The maxim may prove as salutary
to us now as it did to them. Short-sighted mortals see
not the numerous links of small and great events, which
form the chain on which the fate of Kings and Nations is
suspended. Ease and prosperity (though pleasing for a
day) have often sunk a people into effeminacy and sloth.
Hardships and dangers (though we forever strive to shun
them) have frequently called forth such virtues as have
commanded the applause and reverence of an admiring
world.
Our Country loudly calls you to be circumspect, vigi-
lant, active, and brave. Perhaps, (all-gracious Heaven
avert it) perhaps the power of Britain, a Nation great in
war, by some malignant influence may be employed to
enslave you ; but let not even this discourage you. Her
Arms, it is true, have filled the world with terrour; her
Troops have reaped the laurels of the field; her Fleets
have rode triumphant on the sea ; and when or where did
you, my countrymen, depart inglorious from the field of
fight ?* You, too, can show the trophies of your forefa-
thers' victories and your own ; can name the fortresses and
battles you have won, and many of you count the honour-
able scars of wounds received, whilst fighting for your King
and Country.
Where justice is the standard, Heaven is the warriour's
shield ; but conscious guilt unnerves the arm that lifts the
sword against the innocent. Britain, united with these
Colonies by commerce and affection, by interest and blood,
may mock the threats of France and Spain ; may be the
seat of universal Empire. But should America either by
force, or those more dangerous engines — luxury and corrup-
tion, ever be brought into a state of vassalage, Britain
must lose her freedom also. No longer shall she sit the
Empress of the sea ; her ships no more shall waft her
thunders over the wide ocean ; the wreath shall wither on
her temples ; her weakened arm shall be unable to defend
her coasts ; and she at last must bow her venerable head to
some proud foreigner's despotick rule.
But if from past events we may venture to form a judg-
ment of the future, we justly may expect that the devices
of our enemies will but increase the triumphs of our
Country. I must indulge a hope that Britain's liberty, as
well as ours, will eventually be preserved by the virtue of
America.
The attempt of the British Parliament to raise a Rev-
enue from America, and our denial of their right to do
it, have excited an almost universal inquiry into the rights
of mankind in general, and of British subjects in particu-
lar ; the necessary result of which must be such a liberality
of sentiment, and such a jealousy of those in power, as
will, better than an adamantine wall, secure us against the
future approaches of despotism.
* The patience with which this people have borne the repeated inju-
ries which have been heaped upon them, and their unwillingness to
take any sanguinary measures, has very injudiciously been ascribed to
cow;udice, by persons both here and in Great Britain. I most heartily
wish that an opinion so erroneous in itself, and so fatal in its conse-
quences, might be utterly removed bafore it be too late ; and I think
nothing farther necssary to convince every intelligent, man that the
conduct of this people is owing to tiie tender regard which they have
for their fellow-men, and an utter abhorrence to the shedcing of human
blood, than a little attention to their general temper and disposition
discovered when they c umot bo supposed to be under any apprehen-
sion of danger to themselves. I will only mention the universal
detestation which they shew to every act of cruelty, by whom, and upon
whomsoever committed; the mild spirit of their Laws; the very few
crimes to which capital penalties are annexed, and the very great back-
wardness which but!) Courts and Juri:6 discover, in condemning per-
sons charged with capital crimes. But if any should think this obser-
vation not to the purpos'-, I readily appeal to those gentlemen of th<'
Army who have bien in the camp, or in the field, with the Americaim.
43
CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, Sec, MARCH, 1775.
44
The malice of the Boston Port Bill has been defeated,
in a very considerable degree, by giving you an opportuni-
ty of deserving, and our brethren in this and our sister
Colonies an opportunity of bestowing, those benefactions
which have delighted your friends, and astonished your
enemies, not only in America, but in Europe also ; and
what is more valuable still, the sympathetick feelings for a
brother in distress, and the grateful emotions excited in the
breast of him who finds relief, must forever endear each to
the other, and form those indissoluble bonds of friendship
and affection, on which the preservation of our right so
evidently depends.
The mutilation of our Charter has made ever Colony
jealous for its own ; for this, if once submitted to by us,
would set on float the property and Government of every
British settlement upon the Continent. If Charters are
not deemed sacred, how miserably precarious is every thing
founded upon them ?
Even the sending Troops to put these Acts in execution,
is not without advantages to us. The exactness and beauty
of their discipline inspire our youth with ardour in the
pursuit of military knowledge. Charles the Invincible
taught Peter the Great the Art of War. The battle of
Pultowa convinced Charles of the proficiency Peter had
made.
Our Country is in danger, but not to be despaired of.
Our enemies are numerous and powerful, but we have
many friends determined to be free, and Heaven and earth
will aid the resolution. On you depend the fortunes of
America. You are to decide the important question, on
which rest the happiness and liberty of millions yet unborn.
Act worthy of yourselves — the faultering tongue of hoary
age calls on you to support your Country. The lisping
infant raises its suppliant hands, imploring defence against
the monster slavery. Your fathers look from their celes-
tial seats with smiling approbation on their sons, who
boldly stand forth in the cause of virtue ; but sternly frown
upon the inhuman miscreant who, to secure the loaves
and fishes to himself, would breed a serpent to destroy his
children.
But pardon me, my fellow-citizens ; I know you want
not zeal or fortitude. You will maintain your rights, or
perish in the generous struggle. However difficult the
combat, you never will decline it when freedom is the
Rrize. An independence on Great Britain is not our aim.
\o, our wish is that Britain and the Colonies may, like
the oak and ivy, grow and increase in strength together.
But whilst the infatuated plan of making one part of the
Empire slaves to the other is persisted in, the interest and
safety of Britain, as well as the Colonies, require that the
wise measures recommended by the Honourable the Con-
tinental Congress be steadily pursued ; whereby the unna-
tural contest, between a parent honoured, and a child be-
loved, may probably be brought to such an issue, as that
the peace and happiness of both may be established upon
a lasting basis. But if these pacifick measures are ineffect-
ual ; and it appears that the only way to safety is through
fields of blood, I know you will not turn your faces from
your foes, but will undauntedly press forward until tyranny
is trodden under foot ; and you have fixed your adored
Goddess, Liberty, fast by a Brunswick's side, on the Ameri-
can Throne.
You, then, who nobly have espoused your Country's
cause — who generously have sacrificed wealth and ease —
who have despised the pomp and show of tinselled great-
ness— refused the summons to the festive board — been
deaf to the alluring calls of luxury and mirth — who have
forsaken the downy pillow to keep your vigils by the mid-
night lamp for the salvation of your invaded Country, that
you might break the fowler's snare and disappoint the vul-
ture of his prey, you then will reap that harvest of renown
which you so justly have deserved. Your Country shall
pay her grateful tribute of applause. Even the children
of your most inveterate enemies (ashamed to tell from
whom they sprang, while they in secret curse their stupid,
cruel parents) shall join the general voice of gratitude to
those who broke the fetters which their fathers forged.
Having redeemed your Country, and secured the bless-
ing to future generations, who, fired by your example,
shall emulate your virtues, and learn from you the Heaven-
ly art of making millions happy, with heart-felt joy — with
transports all your own, you cry, the glorious work is
done ! then drop the mantle to some young Elisha, and
take your seats with kindred spirits in your native skies.
TO THE INHABITANTS OF NEW-YORK.
New. York, Monday, March G, 1775.
My Fellow-Citizens: As you are called on this day
to give your voices on a measure of importance, permit one
who has your welfare most anxiously at heart, to state the
matter as it is. On the 2d instant, the Committee pub-
lished an Advertisement to call you together, upon the
business therein expressed. They do not pretend that
this is in consequence of any powers you have vested with
them ; it is, therefore, a proposal coming from them as so
many individuals. On Friday, the third instant, a num-
ber of Citizens, equally reputable in their characters with
the members of the Committee, and far superiour in num-
bers, upon mature deliberation, conceived that this measure
ought to be postponed. Every person who wants the
sanction of your approbation should maintain his proposals
with reasons, and the advocates for postponing the question
have assigned a number in support of it. These you have
seen in a handbill, and you are the judges of the weight
they deserve. What arguments there are to hasten and
precipitate this question, is not known, nor is it proper in
the hurry and confusion of a crowd, to discuss questions
which require time and attention for a sober, judicious
determination. It seems proper, therefore, to postpone
this question, from which no disadvantage can possibly arise.
A Freeman.
to the inhabitants of the city of new-york.
New.York, Monday, March 6, 1775.
It has been the practice of some people in this City, upon
all occasions, in order to defeat the well meant endeavours
of its real friends, to misrepresent their intentions. With
this view, it has been artfully propagated, that the Citizens
who assembled at Montagnie's on Friday, had resolved to
oppose the appointment of Delegates. Disposed as I am,
as an individual, for the measure of Delegates, I was
alarmed at this insinuation ; and having attentively consi-
dered the proceedings of the Meeting on Friday, find that
the report is entirely false, and calculated to mislead you.
The only measure proposed by the friends of Constitutional
Liberty is, that the nomination of Delegates may be post-
poned ; the time appointed by the Committee being so
short as not to admit of deliberating on the most proper
mode of electing them, and of framing proper instructions
for their government. The method proposed by the Com-
mittee being extremely exceptionable, and such as will
put this City, which pays one third of the taxes of the
Colony, upon a footing with the smallest County in it.
A Burgher.
to the respectable inhabitants of the city OF NEW-
YORK.
New.York, Monday, March 6, 1775.
Friends and Fellow-Citizens : By the general
tenour of your conduct, since the commencement of our
unhappy disputes with Great Britain, you have uniformly
and fully evinced yourselves to be possessed of an inviola-
ble attachment to the cause of Constitutional Liberty, as
well as of unshaken Loyalty to our most Gracious Sover-
eign, and a just abhorrence of such irregular proceedings
as indicated a spirit of disaffection, or independency in any
of the Colonists. These virtues, always valuable in a high
degree, are peculiarly so in times like the present, when
a dangerous infatuation has seized so many; when discord
and tyranny, in the guise of liberty, stalk forth among us ;
and, under specious pretences, would entail misery, ruin,
and the most abject slavery upon us. These virtues,
which you have nobly exerted on several occasions, will
soon be called to another trial.
A summons has been issued last Thursday, by the Chair-
man, and by order of the Committee, commanding your
attendance at the Exchange on Monday, the 6th instant,
for the purpose of choosing Delegates to go to the next
Continental Congress. Considering our late transactions
45
CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, fee, MARCH, 1775.
46
here relative to this matter, I am sure you must be greatly
surprised at such a step as this. Especially when you are
not called to deliberate on the expediency or propriety of
appointing Delegates for the above purpose; but actually
to choose them ! and this, in consequence of an edict from
the late Congress, whose views and proceedings you most
cordially disapprove! Willing or unwilling, you are re-
quired to comply with this mandate.
Our only legal, Constitutional Representatives, the
Members of our Assembly, to whom we have voluntarily
committed the guardianship of our liberties, and the direc-
tion of our publick affairs, and who are vested with full
authority for these important ends, have absolutely refused
to appoint any Delegates for the ensuing Congress. Would
not such an attempt in you, therefore, be an open violation
of their just authority, and a glaring insult on them?
Whatever reasons might have existed for sending Dele-
gates to the former Congress, there are none sucli now ;
but many cogent reasons to the contrary. Our Assembly
have taken the subject of our grievances into consideration,
and are vigorously pursuing the most effectual methods for
obtaining their redress. The proceedings of the late Con-
gress were violent and treasonable. Instead of healing the
unnatural breach between us and the Parent State, which
was the ardent wish of every honest, good man, they shut
up every avenue to an accommodation. An adherence to
their proceedings must have infallibly involved us in all the
horrours of a Civil War, and ended in our ruin. Fully
sensible of this, and of the unjust tyrannical power usurped
by that Congress over North America, our Assembly — to
their immortal honour be it spoken — had virtue and forti-
tude enough to reject those proceedings. Like faithful
guardians of the great trust committed to them, they have
taken the proper Constitutional steps to snatch us from
impending ruin ; restore harmony between this Country
and Great Britain, and to secure our liberties on the firm
basis of Constitutional principles.
Now reflect, my fellow-citizens, will not your sending
Delegates to the next Congress directly tend to frustrate
these laudable endeavours, of whose success we have a
moral certainty ? Will it not place this Province in the
most absurd, inconsistent point of light, as bursting the
bands of all Government, both with respect to Great
Britain and our own Legislature ? May I not aver, with
truth, that you hold the violent proceedings of the late
Congress in abhorrence ? What can you expect from the
next Congress but such measures as were adopted by the
last, when you know the same Delegates are generally
appointed by the other Colonies? Few alterations have
been made ; and where any have taken place, they were
for the worse — persons more violent, if possible, being
chosen. In what other view can we appear to Great
Britain, than as heartily concurring with those who have
attempted to throw off all allegiance — all subordination
whatever ? Nay ! as acting in concert with those who
have been guilty of open treason in the broad face of day ?
for that is the case of one of the New-Hampshire Dele-
gates. I forget his name — it is the fellow who headed a
riotous mob, stormed one of His Majesty's Forts, and forci-
bly carried off the Cannon, Arms, and Ammunition lodged
there for the express purpose of using them against his
Sovereign. A gentleman is known by the company he
keeps ; and so is an honest man, or a loyal subject.
But this proposed meeting on Monday is replete with
further mischief; for you are to assemble, not only for choos-
ing Delegates, but also " to signify your sense, whether
you will appoint a certain number of persons to meet such
Deputies as the Counties may elect for that purpose, and
join with them in appointing, out of their body, Delegates
for the next Congress." Here you may perceive the first
outlines of a Provincial Congress — the first artful advance
towards bringing on us one of the heaviest curses. If the
abetters of Republicanism can gain this advantage over the
friends of our Constitution, the consequences must be ter-
rible. Our Constitutional Assembly will become a mere
cypher, and all order subverted.
I beseech you, fellow-citizens, to think for yourselves.
Turn your eyes to those Colonies where Provincial Con-
gresses are chosen ; see the effects produced by them, and
judge from those facts. In South- Carolina the Provincial
Congress has shut up all the Courts of Justice. No man
dare attempt to recover a just debt, unless graciously per-
mitted by the Committee of the County. By very late
accounts from Virginia, 1 am informed that matters "there
are in much the same predicament. In Maryland, the
Provincial Congress has wrested the Militia out of the
King's hands, and has levied immense sums of money —
extorted large contributions from the inhabitants for the
purpose of raising Troops to fight against His Majesty.
The Provincial Congress of Pennsylvania met lately to
carry the same design into execution, and were near effect-
ing their purpose; and there the liberty of the Press is
utterley destroyed. As for Massachusetts, you know the
Provincial Congress have appointed a Treasurer, levied
money, enlisted Minute Men, and are taking every step
totally to annihilate the King's just and legal authority in
that Province.
These are notorious, indubitable facts. They cannot
be denied. Say, then, fellow-citizens, do you choose to
bring yourselves into a similar situation ? If so, then do
not fail to appoint a certain number of persons, on Mon-
day, the 6th instant, to meet such Deputies as the County
may elect for that purpose, and to join with them. By
this means a Provincial Congress will be immediately
formed ; and as the warmest and most forward persons are
generally chosen on those occasions, I may venture to pro-
nounce our Provincial Congress will not fall short of others
in usurping an unjust authority, in being tenacious of it,
and plunging this Province into the greatest confusion and
irregularities. But if you detest, as I know you do, the
thoughts of such proceedings, then unite as one man in op-
posing them. Let neither indolence, or any other con-
sideration, prevent you from exerting your usual fortitude
and spirit to stop the mischief which is swiftly approach-
ing. Do not sully your former reputation, by suffering this
maddest freak of rampant Republicanism to take place —
the appointment of a Provincial Congress. Crush this
accursed cockatrice whilst it is in embryo ; if you permit
it to grow up to maturity, it will sting you to death.
I am very sensible that no gentleman or man of charac-
ter among us would, as matters are now circumstanced,
accept of the appointment of Delegate to the Continental
Congress, or of Deputy to a Provincial Congress. But
you very well know that there are several here, who are
under no restraints of delicacy, or regard to decorum and
order on this head. These having no consequence, but
such as they derive from our confusions, would willingly
perpetuate those confusions, as it would raise their impor-
tance, and flatter their vanity. Against these you should
be peculiarly on your guard. They will not fail to im-
prove any supineness you may show on this occasion.
Men of property should be alert and watchful, in the high-
est degree, on this emergency ; for these having little or
no property of their own, will be the more apt to make
free with that of others ; and we have no check or control
on them, if they are once exalted into a Provincial Con-
gress. To levy money will be one part of their office,
and, besides, their intemperate measures will probably lead
to confiscations, by which they can lose nothing.
That wisdom, loyalty, firm attachment to your excel-
lent Constitution, and zealous assiduity may guide you at
this most important crisis, is the unfeigned wish of
A Citizen of New-York.
TO THE PUBLICK.
New-York, Tuesday, March 7, 1775.
"A Citizen of New- York," has attempted, in Mr.
Gaine's last Paper, to sow the seeds of discord among
us, and interrupt our union and harmony. Those who read
his performance attentively, will easily see his design ; but
cursory and less intelligent readers may be deceived by
him. To prevent this, I will make a few remarks upon
his curious publication.
As soon as he has finished his introduction, (which con-
sists of nothing more than common-place phrases and trite
expressions,) he begins to abuse our virtuous and patriotick
Committee; and in the most villanous manner represents
them as having done what they never did, and, I dare say,
never thought of. He says, " a summons has been issued
last Thursday, by the Chairman, and by order of the Com-
mittee, commanding your attendance at the Exchange on
17
CORRESPONDENCE. PROCEEDINGS, &c., MARCH, 1775.
48
Monday, the 6th instant, Tor the purpose of choosing Dele-
gmtes to _ro to the next Continental Congress." Is this
true? It is not; — it is a wilful misrepresentation. Ex-
amine the Committee's advertisement : " they request that
the Freeholders, &c, will be pleased to assemble, to sig-
nify their sense of the best method of choosing Delegates,
and whether they will appoint a certain number of persons,
to meet such Deputies as the Counties may elect for that
purpose, and join with them in appointing Delegates out
of their body for the next Congress." Can any thing be
more modest': Can words express a greater deference to
the opinion of the publick ? Or could the Counties be
treated in a more respectful manner ? There is no such
thing as " commanding your attendance," nor was it the
design of the meeting " actually to choose" Delegates, as
plainly appears from the Committee's advertisement. It
is true, you were " not called to deliberate on the expe-
diency and propriety of appointing Delegates ;" but the
reason for this was, not an overbearing disposition in the
Committee, but because the " expediency and propriety"
of the measure was allowed on all hands; even those who
met at Montagnie's, where Mr. John Thurman was Chair-
man, did not'deny either of them, but implicitly agreed
to both, and only proposed trying to get "the meeting
of Monday next postponed until the 20th of April."
So you see the artful falsehood used by this same Mr.
Citizen.
The arguments drawn from the conduct of our Assembly
are futile and ridiculous. What have they done about the
matter? They have determined " not to take into con-
sideration the proceedings of the Continental Congress,
held in the City of Philadelphia, in the months of Septem-
ber and October last ;" and that the sense of the House
should " not be taken on the necessity of appointing Dele-
gates for this Colony, to meet the Delegates for the other
Colonies on this Continent in General Congress, on the
10th day of May next." If 1 understand English, this is
nothing more than if the Honourable House had said, these
are matters with which we do not choose to have any con-
nexion, and therefore shall neither censure nor applaud,
but leave it entirely to our constituents, to act as they think
proper ; if they choose to approve the proceedings of the
Congress, and adhere to their determinations, let them do
it; if not, let them disapprove of them, and signify their
approbation or disapprobation in their own way. This
seems to me the most natural construction of the conduct
of the Honourable House; and that of some of the Mem-
bers yesterday appears to justify this construction, for a
number of them attended the meeting at the Exchange ;
and to suppose they would encourage, by their presence,
a meeting which was (as the Citizen is pleased to call it)
" an open violation of their just authority, and a glaring
insult on them," contains such a reflection on the good
sense of those gentlemen, and the propriety of their con-
duct, as I do not choose to make, and think ought not to
be made by any person whatever. It appears, then, very
plain, that the Citizen must have entirely mistaken the
matter, or wilfully misrepresented it, that he might be fur-
nished with weighty arguments against the meeting. From
his perversion of the Committee's advertisement, I strong-
ly suspect the latter was the case, but it is not right to use
our firm attachment to our Constitutional Legislature as an
instrument to deceive us. Fie! Mr. Citizen; that is a
low-lived trick.
The remainder of the Citizen's Address is such an inco-
herent confusion of Provincial Congress, Republicanism,
Constitutional Assemblies, Militia, Legal Authority, Cocka-
trices, Embryos, &c, that I am apt to think the man was
non compos mentis when he wrote it, and I shall not at-
tempt to answer it, lest the publick should think that I am
mad too.
You see, my friends, what arts are used to support a
faction ; be on your guard ; you acted yesterday in a man-
ner worthy of yourselves ; continue to act on all future
occasions with the same order, decency, unanimity, and
firmness ; you will thereby confound the friends of des-
potism, convince them your attachment to "the best of
Kinirs" and Constitutional Government is inviolable, and
will preserve your own liberty, and that of your posterity,
till lime shall be no more.
Another Citizen.
City of New.York, M iroli 7, 1771.
Personally came and appeared before me, David Mat-
thews, Esquire, one of His Majesty's Justices of the Peace,
for the City and County of New-York, John Graham.
Clerk to Robert and John Murray, of this City, Mer-
chants, and being duly sworn on the Holy Evangelists of
Almighty God, did depose and say, that he left this City
on Monday morning last, in company with the said John
Murray, and proceeded with him on board the Ship Beu-
lah, then lying at the watering place ; that shortly after
they arrived on board said Ship they weighed anchor, and
proceeded to Sandy Hook, where the said Ship continued
until about seven of the clock this morning, at which time
they weighed anchor and stood out to Sea; that the said
deponent and the said John Murray left the said Ship, and
came up opposite to Staten Island, where the said John
Murray landed, about two of the clock this afternoon,
and was going (as the deponent understood from the said
John Murray) to Elizabethtown, to settle some business
with Lord Stirling ; that the deponent saw the said Ship
pass the Light-House about eight of the clock this morn-
ing ; that neither the said John Murray or the deponent
was on board the said Ship after the anchor was weighed ;
that the deponent did not hear any conversation between
the said John Murray and any other person, relative to the
taking any goods out of the said Ship, nor does he be-
lieve that any boat was employed for that purpose ; that
the deponent's business on board was to copy invoices and
letters. And further this deponent saith not.
John Graham.
Sworn, this 7th day of March, before me,
D. Matthews.
New-York, Wednesday, March 8, 1775.
On Friday evening last, a number of persons who dis-
approved of the proposal made by the Committee for this
City and County, in their advertisement, published Thurs-
day, met at the house of the widow De La Montagnie,
and after choosing Mr. John Thurman Chairman, proposed
attempting to get the business intended for last Monday,
(viz : the choice of persons to meet the Deputies from
the Counties, for the purpose of choosing Delegates for
the next Congress) postponed until the 20th of April,
and published a handbill, desiring those who were of their
sentiments to meet them there on Monday, the 6th in-
stant, at ten o'clock, and proceed from thence to the
Exchange.
A number of the friends of Constitutional Liberty, hear-
ing of this manoeuvre, and apprehending a scheme was on
foot to defeat the design of sending Delegates to the Con-
gress, met on the next evening, and determined to support
the Committee, of whose virtue and patriotism we have
had ample experience. At the close of the meeting, a
gentleman having informed the company that the owners
of the Ship Beulah (some time since arrived from Lon-
don) had not performed their promise of sending her
back, and that, therefore, the Committee's Boat had left
her; about three hundred citizens unanimously deter-
mined to wait upon the owners to know why the Beulah
had not sailed, and required the Captain's repairing imme-
diately on board his Ship, then lying at the watering place,
in order to her departure with the first fair wind. Thi*
service was effectually performed ; and next day the Vessel
fell down to the Hook, from whence she put to Sea on
Tuesday.
Early on Monday morning preparations w-ere made for
the meeting at the Exchange. A Union Flag, with a red
field, was hoisted on the Liberty-pole, where, at nine
o'clock, the friends of Freedom assembled, and having got
in proper readiness, about eleven o'clock the body began
their march to the Exchange. They were attended by
musick ; and two standard bearers carried a large Union
Flag, with a blue field, on which were the following inscrip-
tions : On one side, George III. — Rex and the Liberties
of America. — No Popery. On the other : The Union
of the Colonies, and the Measures of Congress. Some
time after they had arrived at the Exchange, came also
the other company, who had met at the widow De La
Montagnie'*, among whom were some Officers of the Army
and Navy, several of His Majesty's Council, and those
49
CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, fee, MARCH, 1775.
50
Members of the House of Representatives, who bad re-
fused taking into consideration the proceedingsof the Con-
gress, together with< Officers of the Customs, and other de-
pendants on the Court, Sec. Soon after the parties met,
some confusion arose, but subsided without any bad conse-
quences. The Chairman of the Committee then pro-
ceeded to explain the design of the meeting ; after which
he proposed the following questions, viz:
First Question. Whether a certain number of persons
shall be appointed and authorized to meet such Deputies
as the Counties may elect, and join with them for the sole
purpose of appointing out of their body, on the 20th of
April next, Delegates for the next Congress ?
Second Question. Whether this meeting will authorize
the Committee to nominate eleven Deputies for their ap-
probation ?
Both of which were carried in the affirmative. The
eeting, and the majority which determined the questions,
e supposed to have been the most numerous and respect-
ible ever known in this City on the decision of any pub-
lick proposal. The business of the day being finished, the
friends of Freedom paraded through one of the principal
streets of the City, to the Liberty-pole, and there dis-
persed, in the most quiet and orderly manner.
New- York, March 8, 1775.
The notification of the Committee, dated March 1, in-
duced several worthy citizens, friends of Liberty and the
Constitution, to assemble at the widow De La Montagnie's,
on Friday evening, the 3d instant. The measure sug-
gested by the Committee appeared to them to be liable to
exception, as the probable tendency of it seemed to be the
introduction of a Provincial Congress. They thought,
too, that in a measure of so much importance to the com-
munity, no ■precipitate, steps should be taken ; that our fel-
low-citizens had a right to a little longer time than the
Committee had thought proper to allow them ; and they
objected to the mode of taking the sense of the City by
collecting the people together. They were apprized of
the confusion, the heats and animosity, of which such a
proceeding is generally productive ; that on such occasions
those citizens, who alone ought to be consulted, and who
alone have a right to give their voices, namely, the Frce-
holders and Freemen, were liable to insults and indignities ;
and that, as it was impossible to discriminate between them
and such as were collected on purpose to make a show of num-
ber*, they foresaw that the mode proposed was entirely in-
adequate to the purpose of taking the scnie of the City, in
which they were confirmed by the experience of last year;
when, after the Town had been kept in confusion, tumult,
and disorder, for a long time, about the election of Dele-
gates, the passing Resolves, meeting in the Fields, &tc, the
late reputable Committee of Correspondence had recourse
to a poll, which was found the only essential measure of
ascertaining what the sense of their fellow-citizens was.
With the benefit of this experience, and under the influ-
ence of sentiments founded in prudence and moderation,
as well as deference and respect for their fellow-citizens,
the friends of Constitutional Liberty could not but disap-
prove of the measure adopted by the Committee. They
proposed that the election of Delegates should be post-
poned for a time, when they intended, if, from the deter-
minations of our Assembly now sitting, and the advices
which might arrive by the expected Packet, some measure
could not be adopted with the consent of all parties, and
without division, that in such case the sense of the free-
spirited and independent Electors of this City should be
taken by a poll, by which those who had a right to give
their voices might be distinguished from such as had not,
and when the respectable citizens, in the exercise of Con-
stitutional rights and franchises, lie blended with the rab-
ble, which may always be collected by the pageantry of a
(lag, and the sound of a drum and tile. Unfortunately,
however, the hopes which might be entertained from a
calm, deliberate consideration of this measure, and thereby
of healing our divisions, and of deriving weight to our de-
terminations from the unanimity with which they might be
canied, were defeated ; for the day was fixed, and at hand.
Accordingly on Monday, at the Exchange, a vast concourse
of people were assembled ; the Chairman of the Com-
Fouktu Series. — Vol. II.
mittee put two questions, upon each of which there was a
very great division. Those who were opposed to the
question, demanded a poll, for these reasons: that the
business of the day was to take the sense of the Free-
holders and Freemen ; that none but such had a right to
give their voices, and that it was impossible to discriminate
them from those who had not such right. It is said thai
the Committee, in the evening, took up the consideration
of the proceedings of the day ; that many of them report-
ed, that the majority of the people were in favour of the
question; that they weie, therefore, authorized to proceed
to the election of Deputies to meet Deputies from the
Counties in Provincial Convention. On the contrary, it
is the opinion of a very great majority' of our fellow-citi-
zens, that no new powers would have been vested in the
Committee by the transactions of that day ; that they were
appointed in matters relative to the Association only; that
they had themselves disclaimed all other powers ; that they
had called the Freeholders and Freemen together in order
to take their sentiments ; that it was impossible, from the
nature of the thing, to determine on which side the ma-
jority was.
The weight of the objections, therefore, to the measure
of collecting the people together, appears from the event ;
and after the most disagreeable consequences which have
followed, it will still be necessary to take that, as the last
resource, which in prudence should have been the first
measure, namely, taking every Elector's vote by a regular
poll. Impartial.
Comnvttee Chamber, New. York, March 8, 1775.
Ordered, That Philip Livingston and John Jay, Es-
quires, be a Committee to wait on Mr. James Rivington,
and request of him to acquaint this Committee by whose
information, or by what authority, he published the follow-
ing paragraph in his Gazetteer of 2d March, 1775:
" Last Monday the Committee of Observation met. It
was proposed that they should nominate Delegates to the
Continental Congress, for the approbation of this City and
County ; but being opposed, the final determination of the
Committee was deferred until their next meeting:"
The said paragraph being entirely and wholly false and
groundless ; and also to inform Mr. Rivington, that in
printing the notice of the Committee of the 27th Febru-
ary, 1775, respecting the non-consumption of India Tea
being then soon to take place, it was inserted, non-impor-
tation, instead of non -consumption ; and desire him to cor-
rect the mistake in his next Paper. And that the said
Committee do make their report at their next Meeting.
Committee Chamber, New- York, March 13, 1775.
Mr. Chairman : In pursuance of an order of this Com-
mittee, of the 8th instant, we waited upon Mr. Rivington,
and requested him to acquaint this Committee, by whose
information, or by what authority he published the para-
graph mentioned in the said order, in his Gazetteer of the
2d instant. Mr. Rivington told us he published it from
common report, but would be more careful for the future,
and was willing to contradict it.* The errour Mr. Rivington
committed in printing the notice of this Committee of the
27lh February, 1775, respecting the non-consumption of
India Tea being then soon to take place, he has corrected.
Phil. Livingston,
John Jay.
Resolved, That common report is not sufficient authority
for any Printer in this City to publish any matters as facts
relative to this Committee, and tending to expose them to
the resentment of their Constituents, and the odium of the
Colonies ; for that the transactions of this Committee are
not kept secret, and any person may, with ease, know the
* The Committee have not been precise in their manner of pub-
lishing my reply ; to the above particulars, I added, " that what was
related in my Paper was credited; yet if they would furnish me with
its of their Proceedings, I might be able to print them without
errour."
I cannot think my conduct on this occasion merits so formal and
public], usion; a reprehension highly favouring of Legisla-
tive authority, seemingly calculated to aggrandize the power of the
id to disparage the political reputation of a persecuted,
and, to the everlasting disgrace of many County Committees, a pro-
scribed Printer. 3 *«•« Rivington.
New-York, March 16, 1775.
51
CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775.
52
truth of such reports, by applying to any of the Members
of the Committee, who are numerous, and to be found in
almost every part of the City.
Ordered, That the foregoing Order, Report, and Resolve,
be forthwith printed in all the Papi
By order of the Committee,
Isaac Low, Chairman.
TO THE PEOPLE OF ENGLAND.
London, March 7, 177.5.
Some three, four, and five centuries ago, it was usual at
the close of our Parliament to distinguish them, according
to their deserts, by some particular epithet, whether good,
bad, or indifferent. In consequence of this laudable usage,
1 find one of our Parliaments stands stigmatized with the
opprobrious epithet of " ignorant ;" a second with that of
" insane;'' and a third with that of the " merciless Par-
liament."
Any one of these severe, yet just epithets, our readers
most probably will think a sufficient mark of detestation to
damn the actors and acts of such a Parliament to all pos-
terity. But what must posterity think of that Parliament,
who, at this present hour, have actually two Bills before
them, the first of which is to attaint, and consequently to
hang, draw, and quarter, one half of our American bre-
thren ; while the second is to prohibit their Fisheries, and
consequently to starve the other half to death. Should
these two Bills be enacted into two Laws, will not posterity
deservedly brand that Parliament with all the three co-
united epithets abovementioned ; and whenever they make
mention of it with horrour, as they must always do, will
they not have reason to call it " the ignorant-insane-mer-
ciless Parliament of 1775?" But in charity to the two
Houses, let us hope the King, whose most amiable prero-
gative is certainly that of " mercy," will pay some little
attention to his coronation-oath. Let us hope, as his coro-
nation-oath absolutely enjoins that " mercy" shall pervade
and govern all the acts of his own judgment, he will not
deliberately and indelibly blot his name with so foul a
stain, by lending it to either of these two merciless, unna-
tural, inhuman Bills.
After this seasonable, and I hope successful admonition
to the Royal ear, I proceed to show my countrymen,
that as the Americans have not taken any step but what is
fully guarantied by the Runnymede Treaty, so, no act of
any preceding, or of the present, or of any future Parlia-
ment can either declare or enact them to be guilty of any
one breach of the Constitution, and consequently they are
not guilty of high treason.
That the Americans have convened a Continental Con-
gress without any writs of Summons from the King ; that
they have actually called out and arrayed their Militia
without any orders from Government here at home ; and
that they are determined to resist with an armed force
certain unconstitutional Acts of the last Parliament, I rea-
dily agree with the Royalists. But, that these same Ame-
ricans are guilty of high treason against the King or King-
dom, by reason of any one, or all of these self-defensive
proceedings, I absolutely deny. For 1 neither know of,
nor ever will acknowledge, any deed of the subject to be
high treason but what is stipulated, ratified, and confirmed
to be such by some one of our four Constitutions or defi-
nitive Treaties.
Let us see, then, by what constitutional characteristicks
we may infallibly know what this crime of high treason is.
From the Norman Treaty we may learn by the several
A i tides, "De Proditione, that it is high treason against
the King where any liege subject shall insidiatc the King's
death, either by himself, or by hired assassins, or by his
own servant-.." Thus stood high treason against the King
till the Rumymede Treaty took effect, when this species
of it was enlarged so as to include not only the King's
person, but also that of his Queen, and of all their chil-
dren. " Sa va persona regis, et regina, et eorum libe-
rorum."
There is another species of high treason mentioned in
the Norman Treaty, and that is, where any liege subjects
of the King, or any liege men of some Baron, shall, either
on a Naval or Land Expedition, desert from the Command-
er-in-chief or liis associate, through fear of the war or
death, " timiditate belli vcl mortis." And this is pro-
perly called high treason, not against the King singly, but
against the King and Kingdom. I do not find any other
high treasons affecting the subject in any one of our four
Constitutions.
Agreeable then to the Constitutional Law of this Realm.
I define high treason against the King to be " an insidious
attempt or design of a liege subject (either with his o« n
hand or that of his servants) to take away the life of the
King, the Queen, or any of their children ; but it must be
done insidiously, and not otherwise."
I also define high treason against the King and Kingdom
to be " a desertion of our Sea or Land Forces, either in a
sea or land expedition, or in the day of battle ;" but not at
any other times.
Compare the present resistance of the Americans with
either of these two definitions, and I shall challenge any
man to point out any one stage of their conduct that
amounts to high treason, or, indeed, to any crime or offence
whatsoever against the British Constitution. When, for
instance, were they ever charged, or suspected of any sin-
ister attempt, or insidious design against the lives of any of
the Royal family ? Or, when were they ever known to
have deserted in the day of battle ? Can the Crown Law-
yers produce any Constitution, or even any one Act of Par-
liament that impeaches the credit or bottomness of my
definition? If not, will they submit their own definition
to the same unerring criterion and fair test ? Their best
definition, and that in which they all concurred, was, " that
to resist any Law with an armed force, is high treason."
This is an imperfect, lame definition, at best, for it only
defines what high treason is, but is entirely silent as to
what is not high treason. Besides, how can this definition of
theirs stand with the Runnymede Treaty, which impera-
tively enjoins, not barely licences, but absolutely, I say,
enjoins, the subjects, when they find any Laws made in
violation, derogation, or abrogation of any one Article of
the Runnymede Treaty, to take up arms toties quotics,
and resist the execution of such unconstitutional Laws, if
the King for the time being shall not previously, upon Pe-
tition, have repealed the same ? This is the very case at
present with the Americans. Acts of Parliament have
been made in oppression of them, and in express violation
of the Runnymede Treaty. They have petitioned against
these Acts. The King first, and afterwards the two Houses
of Parliament, have turned a deaf ear to their Petitions.
Obtaining no redress from King or Parliament, they have
recourse to Arms. " Yes — but (say the Crown Lawyers)
that very resistance, according to our definition, is high
treason." What ! shall that be high treason in any sub-
jects of the British Empire, for the doing of which they
not only are imperatively enjoined by, but have the guar-
antee and sanction of the Runnymede Treaty ? Or, is
there any Act of Parliament now in being, that makes the
American resistance to be high treason ? If not, shall an
ex-post-facto Law, and that too made in glaring violation of
Magna Charta, overrule, nay, abrogate, Magna Charta
itself? Look over your whole range of high-treason Laws,
(those excepted which I have mentioned as constitutionally
such,) and what are they, in fact, but so many Parliamentary
assurances of the people, that they will not call these trea-
son-enacting Kings to publick account for certain alarm-
ing deeds, which, though perhaps they may be strictly
legal of themselves, yet, by an overstrained interpretation,
might be adjudged to be of a doubtful, if not of a criminal
nature ? 1 scarcely recollect one high-treason Law to
have been enacted, except it was during a reign in which
the National Religion was abolished, or the New Religion
not thoroughly established, or the hereditary succession to
the Crown interrupted, or where the King upon the Throne
either was a notorious usurper, or a parricide, or had mur-
dered his uncle, his brother, his wives, or his nephews.
Let me add, too, that these temporary high-treason Acts
of Parliament have always been deemed so highly odible,
or suspicious, that they have generally been repealed by
the next immediately succeeding King, unless indeed he
stood (which hath sometimes been the case) in the same
predicament with his Royal predecessor. Let us hear,
then, no more of a definition, which absurdly tells us,
" That to resist a Law, however unconstitutional it may
bo, is nevertheless high treason." If this definition be
53
I ( >RRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH. 1775.
54
admissible, I am afraid it will go so far as to make our
very Statute Books guilty of liigli treason ; for if your
readers will turn to the general index of our Statute Books,
under the article " King," they will there find the title of
one of our Acts of Parliament running in the very words
following : " Resistance of evil Administration, by War,
justified.''' The Statute to which this title refers is penned
in the old French law-language, and the translator of it
has mistranslated the word " War," for an armed force, or
a strong hand. I made this observation, because, by our
Constitution, there is an essential distinction between an
armed force and a War. The latter is applicable only
there the subjects of two different Kings, or two sover-
3ign States, are fighting against one another : by the former,
>ve understand, here in England, that the subjects of one
and the same King are fighting against each other. The
vord " Guerre," or War, is twice used in this Statute, and
in both places it speaks of War with foreign Kings ; but
whenever, in this Statute, there is any mention of the resist-
ince which the Duke of Gloucester made to the King's
Troops, it is not called a " Guerre," or War, but a com-
halement, or combat. The same nicety of expression
sedulously observed in the Runnymede Treaty ; for
whenever King John uses the word " Guerre," or " Guer-
rilla," it is clearly expressive of a war with the King of
England, and some other King or Nation : for instance,
; cum scimus quomodo mercatores terra nostra tractantur,
jui inveniuntur in terra contra nos in guerrina, si nostri
salva sint ibi, alii salvi tint in terra nostra." On the
contrary, when this same King John mentions the resist-
ance which the Barons made against his authority, he
ioes not call it by the odious name of " a War," but only
by that of " discord." As for example, " a tempore dis-
cordia jrtcne omnibus remisimus et condonavimus." This
Jistinction, I say, is essentially necessary ; for every War,
.iroperly so called, between one King and another, hath
always for its object (however that object may be modified
or disguised) either the preservation or extension of their
respective Dominions ; but that resistance which in the
Runnymede Treaty is called " discord," and in the Sta-
tute above alluded to is called " combat," hath no other
object in view but the mere preservation of the people's
rights and liberties ; besides, in the former, if the King be
taken prisoner, his life is forfeited ; in the latter, his life is
sacred; and this accounts for the justification of resistance,
for if the object itself be just, then the resistance of course
is justifiable.
I have been careful to simplify this distinction, because
it will explain a clause in the Twenty-fifth of our Third
Edward, which hath been either grossly misunderstood, or
wickedly perverted, by the King's Judges. The clause I
allude to is that by which " to levy War against our Lord
the King, within his Realm," is declared to be high treason.
And doubtless it is ; not because it is one of the special
prerogatives of the Crown to make or denounce War, but
because the King, if taken prisoner by a subject in a War
levied by a subject, would certainly meet with no quarter;
and where the " salva persona regis" is not observed,
there it would be high treason, and constitutionally so,
which is an irrefragable, indestructible, proof of the genu-
ineness and bottomness of my definition of high treason.
But treasonable levying of AVar by no means concludes
that species of resistance against the kingly authority, in
which the Americans are at this moment actually embark-
ed ; for that resistance amounts to nothing more than " a
discord," very properly so called ; for the King himself
may, whenever he pleases, restore it to harmony, by relax-
ing the over-strained, jarring, chord of Government. If,
on the contrary, he attempts to strain it one note higher,
the chord itself, in this over tension, may burst asunder.
But even then the consequences would not be fatal to him ;
for should they chance to take him prisoner, he would not
only be entitled to his " salva persona," but it would be
unconstitutional in them to put him to death.
That levying of War, properly so called, does not ex-
tend to constitutional resistance, also plainly appears from
a Proclamation in Parliament, issued by this Edward the
Third, in whose reign this same Statute of high treason
was ordained. For this blessed King, (as Sir Edward
Coke, in his exposition of this Siatute, gravely calls him,)
having dethroned and imprisoned his own father, openly
proclaims in Parliament, " that no person, great or small,
who pursued and took his father in custody, and who still
remains in custody, shall be any ways hindered, molested,
or grieved, for or by reason of such pursuit and imprisonment
of his said father." A similar Proclamation was also made,
word for word, in Parliament, by our Fourth Henry, who,
while he was only a subject, had pursued and taken into
safe custody, Richard the Second ; so that these Procla-
mations being conformant to the true spirit of the Runny-
mede Treaty, were matters of course; and the Proclama-
tions above mentioned only revived and enforced that
clause of the treaty, but enacted no new *Law, which no
Proclamation can do.
Thus, sir, I have clearly proved that the present resist-
ance of the Americans is imperatively enjoined by our
great Charter of Liberties ; that it is supported and cor-
roborated by Statutes and Proclamations, all penned in the
true spirit of our great Charter; and that it does by no
means come within the description of levying War against
the King, nor in any manner within the purview of the
Twenty-fifth of Edward the Third ; and that consequently
the resistance of the Americans cannot justly or constitu-
tionally be enacted by the present or any future Parlia-
ment to be high treason. Brecknock.
CONSTITUTIONAL SOCIETY.
London, Tuesday, March 7, 1775.
The Treasurer to the Constitutional Society reported
that he had received the following Letters, with the en-
closed sums.
To the Constitutional Society :
Gentlemen : The Collector of the Land Tax received
from me this week Seven Pounds Thirteen Shillings; and
I know it will be employed as usual, to pay prostituted
Parliament pensioners for voting away the liberty of Eng-
lishmen as well as Americans. I send you Fifteen Pounds,
and for every Pound that is taken from me for the bad pur-
poses of the present plans of Administration, I will hereaf-
ter regularly send you Two, to be applied in defence of
American Liberty, and I hope others will do the same. 1
have no objections to pay Taxes in support of an honest
Government ; but will voluntarily pay double against an
infamous cabal, who are openly destroying the free Con-
stitution of this Country.
I am, gentlemen, your most obedient servant,
S ' / T. R.
To Richard Oliver, Esq.:
Sir : I saw in the Newspapers that the Constitutional
Society had given a Hundred Pounds to the distressed in-
habitants of Boston. If the trifle I send herewith is thought
worthy of acceptance by the Society, I beg they would
apply it to the same purpose : if not, I desire it may be
returned to the person who will bring the corner that is
torn off from this letter. Most of the gentlemen in my
neighbourhood are desirous to assist them ; and if I know
it will be acceptable, I will take care to forward their sub-
scriptionsUo you. Any message given to the person who
will bring the torn corner of this letter will be faithfully
delivered to, sir, your humble servant,
(With Twenty Pounds.) J- J-
To Richard Oliver, Esq. :
Sir : Enclosed I send you a Bank note, of Ten Pounds,
which I desire you to pay into the Constitutional Society.
I mean it towards the relief and assistance of the distressed
inhabitants of Boston, in America, and beg that it may
make part of the next vote of supply from that Society, in
favour of the Americans. Their cause is the cause of
England.
* Tliis Parliamentary Declaration divides treason into two distinct
branches, namely, liigli and petit treason. But it is to be observed,
the tarda and Commons most carefully and skilfully avoided to give
their accord to that branch of it which respects high treason, and only
gave their simple accord to that branch of it which specifies the
offences of petit treason ; so that this Statute is of force only so far as
il declares what offences are petit treason, and abates, (as tho Lawyers
phrase it,) as to that part of it which declaratively specifies what par-
ticular crimes are high treason, and consequently loaves that heinous
crime upon its proper constitutional basis. And to what particular
crimes high treason is restricted by tho Constitution, I have sufficient-
ly explained and ascertained in my two definitions of it before lnen-
55
CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, fee, MARCH, 1775.
56
What have we at home but to resist a victorious Army,
which will have been tried and modeled there, and de-
voted to the Crown, returning to England from the con-
quest of America ? All is at stake '. The single question
is", whether the King of Great Britain shall, in future, be
as absolutely despotic!; in every part of the Empire, as a
late Act of Parliament appointed him to be forever in
(\inada1 If despotism had not been the favourite foi in
of Government with the proposers of that Bill, they would
not have established that form, when they had it at their
option which to appoint. After the conquest over freedom
in America, your Army will give them the same option in
England; and we already know their inclinations.
1 therefore set my foot here, and have as many Thou-
sands as I now send Pounds, which 1 shall be willing to
dedicate to the same purpose, if the situation of the Ame-
ricans shall continue to require, and their conduct to de-
serve, support.
I am, sir, with the greatest esteem for you and the gen-
tlemen of the Society, your humble servant, H. B. J.
To the Constitutional Society :
When the common rights of Englishmen are invaded
in any part of the British Dominions, my mite shall never
be wanting to assist those who struggle like men for the
rights of men. This Twenty Pounds and my prayers, is
all I have to give. May God prosper the honest efforts of
the Americans, and make them at length the happy instru-
ments of bringing to justice those traitors who have long
trampled upon us here with impunity. And may God
bless you, gentlemen, for the honest example you have set
us. William Finch.
The Treasurer likewise reported that he had received a
Ten Pound Bank note and Four Guineas, enclosed in a
cover, directed to him with these words, " To the Bos-
tonians."
EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM LONDON, DATED MARCH 7,
1775.
Yesterday, No. Ill of a periodical Paper, called " The
Crisis," and a pamphlet with the same title, containing
Thoughts on American Affairs, were burnt by the com-
mon hangman, at Westminster Hall gate, pursuant to an
unanimous order of the House of Lords and Commons.
As soon as the condemned papers were burnt, a man
threw into the fire the " Address of both Houses of Par-
liament to His Majesty, declaring the Bostonians in actual
Rebellion;" likewise the Address of the Bishops and
Clergy assembled in Convocation. The Sheriffs were much
hissed for attending, and the populace diverted themselves
with throwing the fire at each other.
And this day, at twelve o'clock, the Sheriffs attended
at the Royal Exchange for the above purpose ; but as soon
as the fire was lighted, it was put out, and dead dogs and
cats thrown at the Officers ; a fire was then made in Corn-
hill, and the executioner did his duty. Sheriff Hart was
wounded in the wrist, and Sheriff Plorner in the breast, by
a brick-bat ; Mr. Gates, the City Marshal, was dismount-
ed, and with much difficulty saved his life.
No less thari three publications, under the name of The
Crisis, have come under Parliamentary inquiry ; the first
in the year 1714, written by Sir Richard Steele, a Mem-
ber of Parliament, for which he was expelled the House ;
and the two which were burnt at the Royal Exchange yes-
terday.
HOUSE OF LORDS.
Monday, February 27, 1775.
Complaint was made to the House of a printed Paper,
intituled, "The Crisis, No. Ill, Saturday, February 4,
1775, printed and published for the Authors, by T.'ll.
Shaw, Fleet Street, opposite Anderton's Coffee-House."
The said Paper was read by the Clerk.
The Earl of Radnor moved to " Resolve, that the Pa-
per called 'The Crisis, No. Ill,' is a false, daring, infa-
mous, seditious, and treasonable libel on His Majesty, de-
signed to alienate the affections of His Majesty's subjects
from Ins Royal Person and Government, and to disturb
the Peace of the Kingdom."
Then an amendment was proposed to be made to the
said motion, by leaving out the word "treasonable."
Which being objected to, after debate, the question was
put, '• Whether the word 'treasonable' shall stand part of
the motion i"
And it was resolved in the affirmative.
Then it was moved, "To agree to the said Resolution,
it first proposed."
Which being objected to, the question was put there-
upon :
And it was resolved in the affirmative.
Ordered, That His Majesty's Attorney General do pro-
secute the Printer and Authors of the said Paper.
HOUSE OF COMMONS.
Monday, February 27, 1775.
A complaint being made to the House of a printed Pa-
per, intituled, "The Crisis, No. Ill, dated Saturday, Feb-
ruary 1, J775, printed and published lor the Authors, by
T. //'. Skaiu, in Fleet Street,"
The said Paper was delivered in at the Clerk's table,
and read.
Resolved, nemine contradicenie, That the said Paper is
a false, scandalous, and seditious libel, highly and unjustly
reflecting on His Majesty's sacred person, and tending to
alienate the affections, and inflame the minds, of His .Ma-
jesty's subjects against his person and Government.
Resolved, nemine contradicenie, That one of the said
printed Papers be burnt by the hands of the common hang-
man in New-Palace Yard, Westminster, on Monday, the
6th day of March next, at one of the clock in the after-
noon ; and that another of the said printed Papers be burnt
by the hands of the common hangman, before the Royal
Exchange in London, on Tuesday, the 7th day of March
next, at the same hour ; and that the Sheriffs of London
and Middlesex do attend at the said times and places re-
spectively, and cause the same to be burnt there accord-
ingly.
THE CRISIS.
-NO. I.
To the People of England and America:
Friends and Fellow-subjects : It is with the great-
est propriety 1 address this paper to you. It is in your
defence, at this great, this important crisis, I take the pen
in hand. A crisis big with the fate of the most glorious
Empire known in the records of time; and by your firm-
ness and resolution only, it can be saved from destruction.
By your firmness and resolution, you may preserve to your-
selves, your immediate offspring, and latest posterity, all
the glorious blessings of freedom given by Heaven to un-
deserving mortals; by your supineness and pusillanimity,
you will entail on yourselves, your children, and millions
yet unborn, misery and slavery.
It is in your defence I now stand forth to oppose the
most sanguinary and despotick Court that ever disgraced
a free Country. It is in your defence I now unsheath the
sword of Justice, to oppose the most profligate and aban-
doned Administration that ever showed the weakness, or
abused the confidence, of a Prince. It is in your defence
1 now stand forth, with a firmness and resolution becom-
ing an Englishman determined to be free, to oppose every
arbitrary and every unconstitutional Act, of a venal and
corrupt majority, smuggled into the present new-fangled
Court Parliament, through the villany of Lord North, and
purchased with the pubhek money, to betray their trust,
enslave the people, subvert the Protestant religion, and
destroy the glory, the honour, interest, and commerce,
both foreign and domestick, of England and America ;
and all this villanous sacrifice of a great Empire, a brave
people, and the glorious truths of Heaven, to ambitious
views, and to gratify the mean vindictive spirit of one, as-
sisted by a numerous train of deputy tyrants, whose sole
aim has been to trample under foot the sacred rights of
mankind, and the English Constitution.
It is in your defence, and in defence of the liberties of
my Country, that I now stand forth, with a fixed resolu-
tion, to oppose, and show to the world, unawed by fear,
the dangerous tendency of every act of lawless power,
whether it shall proceed from the King, the Lords, or the
Commons.
57
CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775.
58
1 will endeavour, in conjunction with my fellow-labourer
in this great work, to rescue the liberty of the Press (that
bulwark of freedom) from the ruin with which it is now
threatened, by special juries of Middlesex, and the arbitra-
ry decisions of a Scotch Chief Justice, the glorious advo-
cates for despotick sway. The heavy lines and cruel im-
prisonment of the two WoodfdUs, without even the ap-
pearance of guilt, and contrary to the intention of the Jury,
will be faithfully recorded by the pen of truth, and (ill
many pages in the black catalogue of Murray's crimes.
It shall be my endeavour, in this degenerate age, to revive
the dying embers of freedom, and rouse my countrymen in
England from that lethargiok stale of supineness and inat-
tention, in which they seem to sleep at this time of national
danger, when a mighty Kingdom, and all the dearest rights
of men are hastening to their ruin; that they may yet
stand high on the roll of fame, equal with their brave and
virtuous brethren in America, who are now struggling in
the glorious cause of liberty, against the cruel oppressions
and the destructive designs of exalted villains, whose ac-
tions will be transmitted to posterity in characters of blood,
and their names forever branded with eternal marks of
infamy; while America will remain the glory and admira-
tion of the world, and be held in the highest veneration to
the end of time. Let not the long envied glory of Bri-
tain, O my countrymen ! be eclipsed by the virtuous ac-
tions of the Americans in the new world. Our danger is
the same ; their cause is our cause ; with the constitutional
rights of America, must fall the liberties of England. Let
us, then, show ourselves equal to them in virtue, courage,
firmness, and resolution ; and as they have done, prove to
the world we are alike enemies to tyranny, and that we
never will be slaves to one, nor to a majority of five hun-
dred and fifty-eight tyrants. We will strain every nerve,
and brave every danger, to stimulate our countrymen on
this side the Allantick, to a noble exertion of their rights
as freemen ; to show them the danger, as well as the infa-
my, of remaining quiet spectators of their own destruction ;
and to remove that dark cloud of slavery, which now ob-
scures the glorious light of freedom ; and but for the vir-
tue of our forefathers, would, ages ago, have overwhelmed
this Kingdom, like the States around us, in a long, a last-
ing night of misery and ruin.
Upon this plan, and with these principles, we set out,
and intend to proceed, that the present (if not too far de-
generated) and future generations may enjoy, undiminished,
all the blessings of liberty. To accomplish this end we w ill
risk every thing that is dear to man, and brave both Royal
and Ministerial vengeance, to preserve from ruin, if possi-
ble, the natural rights of mankind, the sacred Constitution
of the British Empire, and the freedom of our Country.
Agreeable to our motto, we shall ever think " liberty
with danger, is preferable to servitude with security." We
should glory in the smiles of our Sovereign, but will never
purchase them at the expense of our liberty ; nor will we
ever give up, but with our lives, the right to expose, and
publickly display, in all its hideous forms, the cruel despo-
tism of tyrants. We can conceive no reason why the laws
and religion of England should be sported with, and tram-
pled under foot, by a Prince of the House of Brunswick,
rather than by one of the House of Stuart. Surely, upon
every principle of justice, reason, and common sense, what-
ever is tyranny and murder in one man, is equally so in
another ; and if it is just to oppose and resist one, it is as
just to oppose and resist the other. It is not a name, nor
an office, however important, that can or ought to bring
respect and reverence to the possessor, while he acts be-
low, and is unworthy of them. Folly and villany ought
to have no asylum ; nor can titles sanctify crimes, though,
in our days, they protect criminals. A royal, right hon-
ourable, or a right reverend robber, is the most dangerous
robber, and consequently the most to be detested.
Our modern advocates for villany and slavery, have
found out a new way of arguing and convincing the judg-
ments of men ; they make nice distinctions without a differ-
ence, and tell the world what was tyranny in the time of
Charles the First, is not tyranny in the reign of George
the Third ; and to this they add a long catalogue of virtues,
which he never possessed. They say he is pious; that his
chief aim is to render his subjects a happy, great, and free
people. These, and many other falsehoods equally wick-
ed and absurd, they endeavour to instil into the minds of
the too easily deluded English. These, and such like arti-
fices, have ever been made use of in the reign of arbitrary
Kings, to deceive the people, and make them, with more
ease, and to chains well polished, submit their necks, anil
even reverence and adore the hand that rivets them. Thus
do tyrants succeed, and the galling yoke of slavery, so
much complained of by almost every Nation in the world,
becomes a crime of the first magnitude in the people,
through their own credulity and vile submission. Truth, in
spite of all the false colouring of venal writers, speaks a
different language, and declares, in opposition to the pen
of falsehood, that bloodshed and slaughter, violence and
oppression, Popery and lawless power, characterize the
present reign ; and we will defy even the pensioned John-
son, after the closest examination of the two reigns, to lei 1
which is the best. Charles broke his coronation oath, butch-
ered his subjects, made ten thousand solemn promises he
never intended to perform, and often committed perjury :
(but these are no crimes in a King, for all Kings have ;i
divine right to be devils.) He tried to overturn the Con-
stitution by force, but found his mistake when it was too
late, and that even royal villany does not always succeed,
and when the just vengeance of Heaven overtook him, he
saw (though he would not believe it before, and imagined
he had a divine right to shed human blood) that the same
power which raised him up could pull him down. The
present Sovereign, not willing to make a figure in history
without a head, and being more mild and gentle, just and
good, has improved upon the plan, and is now tearing up
the Constitution by the roots, under the form of law. This
method of proceeding is certainly much safer, and more
judicious, as well as just ; for what right can an English-
man have to complain, when he is legally made a slave by
Act of Parliament. How wicked ! how rebellious ! must
the Americans be, and what levelling principles must they
possess, to resist the divine right of the Lords and Com-
mons, under the sanction of a divine Act of Parliament.
sent from Heaven to plunder, butcher, starve, or enslave
them, just as it shall come into their divine heads, or the
heads of their divine instruments ; and when once they
have carried this divine law into execution, according to
their righteous intention, we shall soon see, on this side the
Atlantick, that they have the same divine right to use us in
the same merciful and divine manner. This is but the first
divine step of a diabolical plan for shedding human blood,
l educing an industrious, brave, flourishing, and free people,
from a state of affluence to that of misery, beggary, and
slavery ; and nothing but a resolution in the people here,
will be able to prevent the next divine step of the same
plan, from laying in ruins all the rights of the British, with
those of the American, world.
The altar of despotism is erected in America, and we
shall be the next victims to lawless power ; all the hor-
rours of slavery now stare us in the face ; our religion
subverted ; freedom, law, and right, artfully undermined ;
the Roman Catholick religion not tolerated but establish-
ed ; a majority of the House of Commons and the House
of Lords mere creatures of the King ; in short, every
engine of oppression and arbitrary power is at work, to
accomplish our ruin.
O, rny countrymen, that we could but inspire you with
noble sentiments of liberty, rouse you to a just sense of
your immediate danger, and make you feel, sensibly feel,
all the blessings derived from freedom, the natural right of
every man, but more particularly of Englishmen; it is our
birthright, our inheritance ; it was handed down to us by
our ancestors, and sealed often with their blood. Let us,
then, in justice to them, to ourselves, and to posterity, make
a noble constitutional stand, in conjunction with our noble
and spirited, but suffering, fellow-subjects in America,
against the present plan, long fixed by the minions of pow-
er to destroy it, and overturn the Constitution, a Constitu-
tion ten thousand times superiour to any system ever de-
vised by the Greeks or Romans.
At such a time as this, when the merciless, the relent-
less 
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